Ethiopia will continue playing a leading role in ensuring Africa’s food sovereignty: GCS
Addis Ababa, February 16, 2024 (FBC) – State Minister for the Government Communication Service (GCS), Selamawit Kassa, briefed the media on latest developments related to the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union which will be taking place on 17 and 18 January in Addis Ababa.
Selamawit told the media that 49 African countries will participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU of which 30 will be represented by their presidents and others by vice presidents and high level officials.
Saying that the AU has been becoming a global diplomatic platform, Selamawit disclosed that 6 leaders of Non-African countries will participate in the Summit.
Moreover, heads of 13 international organizations including the UN will attend the Summit, according to the State Minister.
Selamawit elaborated that Ethiopia will be hosting to grand events with the themes: “Accelerating Africa’s Digital Transformation” and “Ensuring Food Sovereignty of Africa” respectively on the sideline of the AU Summit which will last for two days from 17-18 February 2024.
While explaining about the event which focuses on Africa’s food sovereignty, Selamawit asserted that Ethiopia will continue playing a leading role in the efforts to ensure food self-sufficiency in the continent.
The events will be held at meeting halls situated in the premises of the Adwa Victory Memorial venue at the heart of Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia will further share its best experiences in the education sector with African nations during the AU summit.
The state Minister added that Ethiopia, involving active participation of the public, has invested over 21 billion birr to upgrade status of schools thereby ensuring quality education nationwide. The nation has enabled more than 6 million students nationwide to get access to school feeding with a budget of over 10.3 billion birr mobilized from the government, community and partners.
More than 500 foreign journalists have arrived in Addis for the Summit, she said. Including the local ones, a total of over 1,000 local outlets will cover the AU Summit, according to the State Minister.