Council of Ministers passes resolutions on various agendas

Addis Ababa, November 21, 2024 (FBC) – During its 40th regular session held today, the Ethiopian Council of Ministers approved the Medium-Term (2017-2021 E.C) Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework (MEFF) and the amended establishing regulation of the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC).

Following extensive deliberations, the Council also forwarded five bills related to social, economic, and environmental issues to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) for further discussion and final approval.

The Council first deliberated on the Medium-Term Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework (MEFF). According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the framework serves as the foundation for implementing the macroeconomic reforms and fiscal policy reforms in the second phase of Homegrown Economic Reform and the federal government’s supplementary budget and expenditure adjustment for the 2024/25 (2017 E.C) fiscal year. The framework has also been reviewed and revised in accordance with macroeconomic adjustments.

After extensive discussion, the Council unanimously approved the framework to take effect.

The Council then discussed a bill on the Federal Government Supplementary Budget and Expenditure Adjustment Proclamation. The supplementary budget and expenditure adjustment have been prepared to facilitate the implementation of the revised 2017-2021 E.C medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal framework, taking into account the government’s financial capacity and expected revenues, as well as the supplementary budget assumptions and expenditure assumptions.

In accordance with the supplementary budget and expenditure adjustment, a budget of 581,982,390,117 Birr has been presented to the Council for regular expenditures and expenditure adjustment.

After discussing the proposed supplementary budget and expenditure adjustment bill for the 2024/25 Ethiopian fiscal year, the Council unanimously decided to forward it to the House of People’s Representatives for further deliberation and endorsement with additional inputs.

The Council then discussed the draft bill establishing the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ethiopia. The Office of the Prime Minister indicated that the Institute will significantly contribute to the development of a financial reporting and presentation system in government and private institutions by producing qualified and competent professionals.

After extensive discussion on the draft proclamation, the Council unanimously decided to forward it to the House of People’s Representatives for additional consideration and final approval.

The Council then turned its attention to the draft proclamation on Solid Waste Management and Disposal. The proclamation was prepared and submitted to the Council with the aim of preventing and controlling the impact and damage that solid waste is causing to the surrounding environment and human safety and health, ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of the Green Legacy initiative and corridor development works, restricting the import of single-use plastic products that are causing harm to the health of citizens and the beauty of cities, and establishing a legal framework for the collection, transportation, processing, reuse, recycling, and disposal of solid waste in a manner that involves the community and stakeholders.

After extensive discussion on the draft proclamation, the Council of Ministers unanimously decided to forward it to the parliament for further deliberation and additional inputs before final endorsement.

Meanwhile, the Council also discussed the amended establishing regulation document of the National Rehabilitation Commission of Ethiopia (NRC). The NRC establishment regulation was revised to enable the institution to fulfill its duties and responsibilities as prescribed by law.

After extensive discussion, the Council unanimously decided to implement the amended regulation from the date of its publication in the Negarit Gazette.

The Council also discussed the draft proclamation on the zoning, development, maintenance, and utilization of the banks of water bodies in the country. In order to prevent the damage being caused to the banks of water bodies in Ethiopia, the proclamation was crafted and submitted to the Council, as it will not only improve the water ecosystem services but also provide additional social and economic benefits to the local community.

After extensive discussion on the proclamation, the Council unanimously decided to forward it to the parliament for additional deliberation and inputs ahead of final endorsement.

Finally, the Council discussed the draft proclamation on the establishment of the High Council for Integrated Water Resources Management. This draft proclamation has been prepared to provide strategic management by implementing integrated water resources management at the basin level, enabling stakeholders to jointly develop, utilize, conserve, protect, and control water resources so that Ethiopia can utilize its surface and groundwater resources equitably and sustainably.

After extensive discussion on the proclamation, the Council of Ministers unanimously decided to forward it to the parliament for further deliberation and final approval with additional resources.