Addis Ababa, January 24, 2025 (FMC) – The United Nations Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov said the UN is anticipating that Addis Ababa will continue to grow as a hub for regional, continental and global conferences.
In a recent exclusive interview with Fana Media Corporation, Dr. Ramiz shared his thoughts on the growing conference tourism in Addis Ababa by citing instances from recent National Convergence Workshop on Climate Action (CA) and Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation & Nutrition (EFSTN), held in Addis Ababa from 15 to 17 January 2025.
Addis Ababa was selected to host the National Convergence Workshop owing to Ethiopia’s commendable endeavors in establishing resilient food system transformation and nutrition, the Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator said.
“With regard to the food systems transformation, Ethiopia is actually leading and spearheading role model in the continent. It [the country] has a very good system which was put in place all the way from the World Food Summit several years back. That system and structure with coordination from various lines of ministries has actually resulted in a very concerted nationwide program,” Dr. Ramiz noted.
Recent data from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s social media post indicates that through the Bounty of the Basket initiative, chicken meat production has increased from 70,000 tons to 208,000 tons; milk production from 7.2 billion liters to 10. billion liters. Honey production has also increased from 129000 tons to 272,000 tons.
Acknowledging these successes, Dr. Ramiz said such achievements play significant role in luring international, regional conferences to Addis Ababa. “We are hoping to host more regional and global events here in Ethiopia.”
Testament to his anticipation of more global and regional events in Ethiopia, the 2nd United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) is also coming to Addis Ababa in July 2025.
Commenting on Ethiopia’s efforts to implement resilient food system and the role of development partners, the Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator said, Ethiopia is spearheading a significant course of history in transitioning from aid receiver to self-sufficiency. “This is changing very rapidly.”
The emerging resilient food system increased food production and economic development and progress towards a very different prosperous type of society in the future, he further acknowledged, reminding all development partners to shift their focus towards supporting resilience building, especifically in remote areas to help mitigate post-harvest losses and other issues.
Subsequently, he called on partners shift their focus towards ensuring resilient food system in the continent.
According to him, UN’s new five-year strategy for Ethiopia will be focusing on making food system transformation central, along with creations of jobs and making sure support to the vibrant economy and the rural sector which generates foods, provides nutrition and also income to those who are dealing with this particular matter.
Regarding Ethiopia’s ambitious national initiatives in agriculture, Dr. Ramiz reiterated UN’s full backing to these initiatives, stressing the role of the private sector in these endeavors.
In connection with transformative wheat production, he sees a great potential in Ethiopia in fully ensuring food security as well as becoming a global exporter of many types of food.
The Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator added that the East African nation has the potential to be one of the leading economies in the world in the next couple of decades with investments and transitions towards the green, sustainable and productive economy.
To realize such aspirations, the UN will work in partnership with the country by facilitating access to climate financing, which Dr. Ramiz said is extremely important in this context.
By Mesafint B.