International Irrigation Conference to be Held in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, December 31, 2024 (FMC) — An international irrigation conference aimed at addressing challenges in irrigation will be held in Addis Ababa from February 12 to 14, 2025, according to Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands.

Briefing journalists today, Irrigation and Lowlands Minister Abraham Belay said the conference themed “Cultivating Resilience: Global perspectives on Irrigation Development and Climate Adaptation,” will showcase and share overall developments in irrigation as well global best practices.

The minister noted that Ethiopia’s irrigation sector faces significant challenges such as aging infrastructure, limited access to modern technologies as well as the impacts of climate change intensifying the challenges, making the need for effective, scalable and inclusive irrigation solutions more urgent than ever.

In this respect, he added that the conference will seek to address challenges of irrigation by providing a platform for global collaboration and knowledge exchange to develop robust and adaptive irrigation systems.

With its vast potential and reliance on agriculture for economic stability, Ethiopia’s future food security and economic reliance hinges on its ability to modernize and expand irrigation systems.

Irrigation and Lowlands State Minister, Tesfaye Yigezu, on his part reiterated that the conference has significant implication for Ethiopia as it provides opportunity to learn from global best practices tailored to the context of Ethiopia.

By drawing international experiences, the country can enhance its irrigation strategies, improve water use efficiency and build resilience against the adverse effect of climate change, he added.

ENA reported that the conference will explore innovative financial mechanisms that prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that women, youth and marginalized communities are actively involved in and benefit from irrigation development efforts.

The conference is expected to bring together experts, policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders from Africa and the rest of the world to share insights, discuss emerging trends and showcase successful interventions in irrigation development and climate adaptation.