ADDIS ABABA– In addition to its national green economic goal, Ethiopia has joined the blue economy geared at supporting sustainable economic growth through water bodies’ activities and preserving the environment, Ethiopia’s FM Workneh Gebeyehu stated.
The Minister, who conferred at the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi, Kenya kicked off yesterday, noted the world rally around the enormous pressures facing oceans and waters at the same time.
There is international recognition that “we need to develop our waters in an inclusive and sustainable manner for the benefit of current and future generations,” he said. Ethiopia has initiated the ClimateResilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative to protect the country from the adverse effects of climate change and to build a green economy that will help realize its ambition of reaching middle- income status by 2025.
The water–energy-food nexus is central to Ethiopia’s water policy and water resources development, Workneh underlined, adding that utilizing water resources to meet national goals in achieving sustainable development is critical. Professor Belay Asnake, from Addis Ababa University (AAU) Water Management, explained blue economy to the Ethiopian Herald a development of water resources in a sustainable manner for the betterment of the society.
Belay, who recalled Ethiopia’s climate resilient green economy policy, said the new concept could be supplementary to its realization. Ethiopia is highly committed to a rules-based international order. The 2030 Agenda is an example of how it can work effectively multilaterally to achieve the common goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
To realize a prosperous and sustainable future for all, Ethiopia will continue to work in collaboration with other states, the civil society, the private sector, international organizations and the world community of Nations, as has been stressed by FM Workneh Gebeyehu.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 29/2018
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
