KOICA reaffirms commitment to support Ethiopia’s climate change initiatives

Addis Ababa, August 26, 2024 (FBC) – The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has reiterated its commitment to assist Ethiopia in advancing its socio-economic development efforts.

In an exclusive interview with FBC, KOICA Ethiopia Country Director, Cho Han Deog, highlighted the nation’s rapid socio-economic growth across various sectors, stating that the agency is dedicated to providing ongoing support to sustain this progress.

Deog pointed to Ethiopia’s notable achievements in the health sector as a model for success and confirmed that KOICA is extending both technical and material assistance in areas such as family planning and sexual and reproductive health services.

He affirmed KOICA’s commitment to continue its contribution in enhancing the manufacturing sector’s capacity and fostering a skilled workforce through initiatives in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to accelerate the country’s economic development.

“We are collaborating with multiple universities throughout Ethiopia to bolster capacity-building efforts in diverse fields,” Deog remarked.

Addressing the mounting concerns surrounding climate change, which he identified as one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally, Cho Han Deog reaffirmed KOICA’s dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s ongoing initiatives to tackle this issue.

“We are working closely with local communities to strengthen their resilience against climate change and promote climate-resilient agricultural practices,” he noted.

Additionally, he mentioned KOICA’s involvement in aiding internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returning citizens across several regions of Ethiopia.

Currently, KOICA is implementing projects valued at $150 million, focusing on enhancing the manufacturing sector’s capabilities, improving health services, fostering climate-resilient agriculture, and aiding social integration within the country, according to the Country Director.