FM Gedion emphasizes minimizing foreign aid dependency through homegrown solutions

Addis Ababa, December 4, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, today received the UN Country Team led by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov.

MFA Ethiopia reported that the UN Country Team was sourced from various regional and country offices and programmes of the global body.

During the meeting, the officials reiterated their respective commitments to further strengthening the multifaceted and longstanding cooperation between Ethiopia and the UN, especially in the peace-development-humanitarian assistance nexus.

FM Gedion highlighted that, as a founding member of the United Nations, Ethiopia has consistently been an active advocate for its principles and mission objectives. He emphasized the importance of strengthening existing cooperation and accelerating UN support for the government’s efforts in priority areas. Aligning this support with the country’s policy objectives and initiatives, he noted, is crucial to improving the lives of the most vulnerable segments of society.

The Ethiopian foreign minister emphasized that the UN, through its various offices and programs in his country, must support the country’s national priorities in its efforts to build resilience to numerous humanitarian and environmental challenges.

He underscored the importance of reducing dependency on foreign aid by promoting home-grown solutions. These national priorities, he noted, align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He further called on the UN Country Team to work in close coordination with relevant line ministries and other agencies to ensure effective implementation.

Afterwards, FM Gedion hosted the UN Country Team for discussions on further enhancing the multisectoral cooperation between the Government and the agencies towards bridging the peace-development-humanitarian assistance gaps.

He said, as a beacon of hope and prosperity, Ethiopia is not only committed to forging independence and resilience in implementing its national priorities but also championing interdependence and ever-growing international cooperation.

UN RCHC Dr. Alakbarov and the representatives also expressed the readiness of their respective agencies to continue supporting Ethiopia in key priority areas including development cooperation, resilient food systems, environmental and climate adaptation, creation of jobs as well as digitalization and governance systems, among others.