Dialogue Chief Commissioner Calls for Further Supports from Dev’t Partners

Addis Ababa, April 15, 2024 (BC) – National Dialogue Chief Commissioner, Professor Mesfin Araya called on the UN agencies and other international partners to consolidate the resource mobilization efforts to the success of the Ethiopian national consultation process.

The dialogue commission has received some 12 vehicles today from the government of Japan that would be important for its operational activities and could lessen the transpiration burden in the rural parts of Ethiopia.

In his remarks at the handover ceremony, chief commissioner said the assistance of development partners is critical to realize Ethiopia’s ambition of national consensus on the most fundamental issues of significance.
As part of the support from Ethiopia’s partners, Mesfin appreciated the Japanese government for its commitment and today’s donation of vehicles to the  commission.

According to him, Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has embarked on a reconciliation process to attend unity and consensus in the country.

Acknowledging Ethiopia richness in diversity as well as heritages, the chief commissioner explained that the country has faced with challenges in realizing a shared vision.

Despite extreme political views that Ethiopia is experiencing, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has been working hard for all-encompassing political landscape as well as reconciliation, Mesfin stated.

In this respect, he underscored that the commission stands as a beacon of hope to bridge the gaps that dividing us and pave the way for brighter future.

“As we are undertaking this critical national initiative, it is abundantly evident that the participation of more national and international stakeholders succeeds our national expectation,” he said.

As the ongoing Ethiopia’s national consultation project requires significant resources, the commissioner said, adding that therefore the engagement of partners would have an indispensable role in driving forward the dialogue activities.

On his part, UNDP Ethiopia Resident Representative, Samuel Doe said we believe strongly that Ethiopia is at a critical juncture for dialogue in which UNDP has been part of the process from the inception.

The UNDP is looking forward to working closely with the commission and with all people of Ethiopia, he noted.

“The path of conversation provides shared vision, the path for conversation provides shared solutions, and the powerful conversation provides the pathway for economic prosperity.” He added we are also looking forward that the east African nation will address its major outstanding issues through the consultation project.”

Japan’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori said that today’s handing-over ceremony shows strong ties between Ethiopia and Japan through supporting the national dialogue process and the government of Japan is continuously supportive of Ethiopia in various spheres.

In May 2023, Japan provided 3 million USD in collaboration with UNDP to enable the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission to conduct a more efficient and credible national consultation, he indicated.

The ambassador reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue its enhanced support for the success of the national dialogue commission and other various development activities in Ethiopia.