DPM and FM calls for continued efforts to achieve goals of Seqota Declaration

Addis Ababa, January 2, 2024 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen stressed yesterday the need for continued efforts to achieve the goals of Seqota Declaration.

The review of Seqota Declaration for Ethiopian Fiscal Year 2015 and plan approval for 2016, food system transformation launching forum was held in Addis Ababa today.

During the occasion, Demeke lauded the Seqota Declaration as an exemplary program that has gained international recognition and best practice to other African countries.

He emphasized the program’s impact, stating, “this program expanded to 240 woredas nationwide; it’s this program that grew to a global level in New York where it was selected as one of the good examples to be expanded to some African countries.”

Demeke also stressed the need for continued efforts to achieve the program’s ultimate goal and the importance of concerted community participation and leadership throughout the implementation process.

Seqota Declaration is a flagship program aimed at ending child undernutrition by 2030 and its achievements were celebrated at the forum.

Health Minister Dr. Liya Tadesse on her part highlighted the critical role of Seqota Declaration in addressing food security and nutrition challenges.

She acknowledged the program’s success in reducing stunting among children under five but noted that significant work remains to be done, with current prevalence rate at 39% and an additional 11% suffering from thinness.

“Although stunting has been decreasing nationwide due to the efforts made in the past years, our recent study indicated that it is still high, with about 39 percent prevalence in under 5 years children and additional 11 percent suffering from thinness,”Liya said.

She expressed optimism that the forum, held at a pivotal mid-term in the program’s 15-year roadmap, will contribute to achieving the target of zero hunger by 2030.

She emphasized the importance of expanding Seqota Declaration from its current reach of 240 to 700 woredas in the coming years.

Agriculture Mnister Girma Amente reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating poverty and ensuring food security, citing the initiatives like the Homegrown Economic Reform Agendas and the 10-year Prospective Development Plan.

Addressing the remaining challenges to achieve food security and nutrition calls for greater collaboration, he said.