Day: July 1, 2024

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia and COP29 Presidency have agreed to collaborate on the outstanding issues in climate negotiations, according to Ethiopia’s Planning and Development Ministry.

This was disclosed at a bilateral meeting held today between Minister of Planning and Development of Ethiopia, Fitsum Assefa and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President of the COP29, Mukhtar Babayev.

The 29th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 29) will be hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan in November.

During the bilateral meeting, Fitsum expressed gratitude for the invitation to the COP29 to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024, and thanked the Azerbaijani government for the warm hospitality extended to the Ethiopian delegation during the visit in May 2024.

She also highlighted Ethiopia’s exemplary role in initiating and implementing ambitious climate change policies, such as the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE), Green Legacy Initiative, Long-Term Low Emi
ssion and Climate Resilient Development Strategy and various environmental protection projects.

Ethiopia has invested approximately 82 billion USD between 2011 and 2019 on climate-related projects, mostly from its domestic budget, she added.

Fitsum further expressed Ethiopia’s expectations for the COP29 negotiations, including the conclusion of pending issues such as the New Quantified Collective Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), operationalization of Article 6, a dedicated loss and damage funding facility, and the Global Goal on Adaptation.

The Minister also highlighted the growing burden that developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Africa, are facing due to the adverse effects of climate change, including debt stress, which calls for deep reform of Multilateral Development Banks and International Financial Institutions.

Mukhtar Babayev expressed the COP29 presidency’s readiness to collaborate with Ethiopia to push the pending negotiation issues towards a successful conclusion.

He
emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach and compromise during the negotiations to reduce polarization.

Azerbaijan’s Minister and President of the COP29, Mukhtar Babayev has officially requested Ethiopia’s support in lobbying the negotiation groups through various platforms, as Ethiopia is a leading champion in this regard.

Minister Fitsum acknowledged that as the current chair of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN), Ethiopia would play a role in pushing the African Group of Negotiators, as well as other negotiator groups, to exercise a pragmatic approach for the successful completion of COP29.

Finally, the two ministers discussed further strengthening the relationship between Ethiopia and Azerbaijan, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and tourism.

Minister Fitsum Assefa and President Mukhtar Babayev recognized the untapped potential for expanding economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

They agreed to explore new opportunities for trade and investment
partnerships as well as in creating a conducive environment for the private investment between both countries.

By strengthening trade, investment, and tourism ties, the ministers expressed their belief that Ethiopia and Azerbaijan could further deepen their bilateral relationship and unlock new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Both sides pledged to task their relevant government agencies to follow up on the agreed areas of collaboration, according to Ministry of Planning and Development.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) Speaker Tagesse Chafo and a high-level delegation from Azerbaijan led by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, who is COP-29 President, exchanged ideas on strengthening cooperation and addressing global climate challenges today.

The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) will convene in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, it was indicated.

During the discussion, Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, and COP29 emerged as key points of discussion, in addition to the need to strengthen bilateral and multilateral issues to tackle global challenges.

HPR Speaker Tagesse Chafo focused on amplifying efforts to tackle climate change, highlighting the success of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative.

He emphasized the need for increased collaboration and experience sharing, alongside ensuring the long-promised 1 billion USD in climate finance is delivered.

Tagesse stressed the importance of translating climate conferences’ decisions in
to concrete action, including at the upcoming COP29, which presents an opportunity to accelerate international efforts toward climate action.

Ethiopia, the speaker reaffirmed, remains committed to partnering with Azerbaijan and the international community to combat climate change.

Tagesse emphasized the importance of knowledge and experience exchange in tackling climate change effectively.

The Speaker also underscored the need to strengthen early warning systems to build resilience against climate-induced disasters.

Ethiopia expressed its full support to Azerbaijan as it assumes the presidency of COP29.

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev clarified that the purpose of the visit is to understand climate change actions in Ethiopia.

He highlighted that Azerbaijan also faces its share of climate challenges, including droughts and floods and expressed his country’s interest in learning from Ethiopia’s experience in climate change mitigation.

The Minister emphasized that it is daunting
for countries to tackle climate change effects separately and stressed the importance of regional and global cooperation in tackling the challenge.

The speaker also accepted invitation to visit Azerbagian and he accepted it.

Following the discussions, both delegations participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony within the parliament compound, underscoring the shared commitment of Ethiopia and Azerbaijan to environmental protection and combating climate change.

The Ethiopian delegation included Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Asefa and Foreign Affairs State Minister Misganu Arga.

Representing Azerbaijan were the Ambassador to Ethiopia and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ecology and Natural Resources.

This high-level meeting signifies a renewed commitment from both Ethiopia and Azerbaijan to collaborate on climate action and build a more resilient future for all.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Four innovative works developed by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute have been granted patent rights from the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority.

The Institute was granted patent rights for its artificial intelligence (AI) based tools developed to testing and identifying diabetic diseases, types of breast cancers, skin diseases on children and coffee leaf diseases.

On the occasion, Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Worku Gachena explained about the AI based activities of the institute in the areas of research and development. The research outcomes, which received patent rights today, are part of these ongoing efforts of the institute, he added.

According to the Director General, besides the efforts to making its research and development outcomes functional, the institute is also working to get international patent rights for its multifaceted AI based research and development projects.

The Director General of Ethiopian Intellectual Proper
ty Authority, Woldu Yemessel for his part highlighted the importance of strong protection to AI based innovations as they are critical to enhance the competitiveness of the next generation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Ambassador to South Korea Dessie Dalkie discussed with the president of South Korean Dong-Eui University, Soo-Whan Han.

During the discussion, Ambassador Dessie Dalkie requested the president that Dong-Eui University collaborate with Ethiopian Higher Education institutions to enhance further educational cooperation between Ethiopia and the Republic of Korea.

Additionally, the Ambassador urged the university president to increase Ethiopian student scholarship opportunities and to encourage professors to engage in projects at Ethiopian universities that promote higher learning.

President of Dong-Eui University, Soo-Whan Han, on his part, reassured the audience of the university’s commitment by vowing to work closely with the Embassy to further strengthen relations between Ethiopia and the Republic of Korea in the field of education.

He also stated that the university has already had experience engaging in projects with Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) and expressed a des
ire to deepen the collaboration to share experiences.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, announced that preparations have been made for second-generation Ethiopians to help them leave their mark through investment, various development works, and volunteer activities in the country.

It is recalled that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had called on second-generation Ethiopians living in various countries around the world to come to their homeland during the summer and leave their mark in the various activities of their country.

Following this, a welcoming ceremony was held today at Bole International Airport for second-generation Ethiopians who came from Australia and America to participate in the 26th Harar Day celebration.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, along with Harari regional leaders, welcomed the Ethiopians.

On the occasion, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano reminded that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has made a third round of calls for second-generation Ethiopians to leave their mark in various field
s in Ethiopia.

Since schools are closed during this time, the State Minister pointed out that many Ethiopians of second generation have an opportunity to learn more about their homeland.

The necessary support will be provided to strengthen the participation of citizens who have come to Ethiopia to participate in the Harar Day celebration, including in investment and various other fields, as per the Prime Minister’s call, she added. .

She also explained that during their stay in Ethiopia, they will visit development projects, and work is being focused on creating favorable conditions for them to leave their mark.

Deputy Head of the Harari Region Prosperity Party Branch Office, Abdulhakim Umer, said that preparations have been made in the region for diaspora members from the region to participate in various charitable programs alongside celebrating Harar Day.

He mentioned that they will carry out various activities including free medical services, support for school supplies, and green legacy initiatives.

A
bdulhakim, who noted that Ethiopia has achieved changes in many aspects, indicated that second-generation Ethiopians should take advantage of the created favorable conditions to participate in development works.

According to Belayneh Aknaw, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Service, second-generation Ethiopians have come in two rounds following the Prime Minister’s previous call.

He pointed out that a third round of calls has been made for second-generation Ethiopians to know their country over the three months starting from June 20, 2024, under the slogan “Leave Your Mark”.

The Deputy Director General highlighted that the national call provides an opportunity to see Ethiopia’s actual situation in person.

Among the second-generation Ethiopians who arrived in Addis Ababa today, Dr. Jemal Mohammed, a general practitioner in Australia, told ENA that he is ready to serve his country with his profession.

He also indicated that he has prepared a project to establish a dialysis clinic.

Similarl
y, Duset Abdosh and Fetiha Abdulahi, who came from Australia, mentioned that they had long-term plans to participate in investment sector in Ethiopia.

Following their arrival in their country, they indicated that they are ready to start various development and investment works.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency