Nordic countries commit to ongoing support for environmental, waste management initiatives in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, November 18, 2024 (FBC) – Nordic Embassies in Ethiopia, in collaboration with Reach for Change Ethiopia and other key partners, organized a dialogue on Monday under the theme “Partnering for Change: Nordic Ethiopian Dialogue to Address Innovative Waste Management Solutions.”

The dialogue brought together government officials, the Nordic diplomatic community including Ambassadors of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland to Ethiopia, representatives of the private sector, students, youth representatives and local innovators.

Participants explored potentials for Ethiopian-Nordic partnerships to inspire local, effective waste management solutions that can also contribute to job creation and economic resilience.

The Nordic Embassies’ collective commitment to environmental sustainability is rooted in a long history of waste management expertise, Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopian Hans Henric Lundquist stated.

“Nordic countries have made significant strides in developing waste management systems that benefit communities and the environment. We look forward to sharing insights and learning from Ethiopia’s local approaches to create meaningful change,” the Ambassador added.

Emphasizing the alignment of cooperation with Ethiopia’s goal to achieve a climate-resilient green economy, the Ambassador reiterated his nation’s steadfast commitment to bolstering the country’s climate initiatives.

Sune Krogstrup, Denmark’s Ambassador Designate to Ethiopia, highlighted his country’s ongoing support for Ethiopia’s green development efforts and expressed a commitment to replicate their partnership in establishing a modern waste management system.

He noted that Denmark and Ethiopia showcased their strengthened partnership at COP29, asserting that Denmark has taken practical steps to encourage developed nations to honor their climate financing commitments, reflecting Ethiopia’s persistent advocacy on international platforms.

Sofia Breitholtz, the CEO of Reach for Change, echoed her organization’s dedication to assisting Ethiopia in harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship to foster a clean and livable environment. She mentioned that the organization is also empowering local entrepreneurs to contribute to national initiatives aimed at achieving a circular green economy by transforming waste into valuable resources.

Dr. Eshetu Lemma, Director General of the Addis Ababa City Administration Cleansing Management Agency, remarked that the city government is actively engaged in a variety of initiatives to enhance modern waste management systems, citing collaboration with Nordic countries as a significant step towards creating a greener, cleaner, and more livable city.

He reported that the city has been executing a 20-year plan to cultivate a cleaner, healthier, and smarter Addis Ababa by the year 2043. Over the past five years, Addis Ababa has generated more than 7,000 green jobs, Dr. Eshetu noted, while urging for deeper cooperation with partners to achieve even better outcomes.

Reach for Change Country Director, Mekdim Gulilat, for her part stated that the platform is crucial for building partnerships between Nordic and Ethiopian stakeholders to address waste management challenges in Ethiopia.

Participants discussed opportunities for ongoing collaboration, with the goal of fostering local capacity and scaling innovative solutions across communities.

Reach for Change Ethiopia is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs who address critical social and environmental challenges.

Through its Building Waste and Circular Economy project in partnership with IKEA Foundation, Reach for Change Ethiopia is empowering more than 40 local enterprises and 10 pilot projects to create sustainable solutions that contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment, the Country Manager stated.

Panel discussion focused on best practices from both the Nordic region and Ethiopia, including a focus on how innovative technology and policy support can help improve waste collection, segregation, and recycling was held during the event.

Additionally, entrepreneurs supported by Reach for Change Ethiopia’s Green Business Incubation (GBI) program showcased their products including eco-friendly packaging and composting solutions which demonstrated the transformative potential of waste when approached through innovation and entrepreneurship.