As the global population continues to grow, urban areas experience rapid expansion, leading to increased pressure on resources, infrastructure, and the environment. However, with a rising awareness of sustainable development, cities worldwide have begun embracing innovative approaches to ensure a greener and more sustainable future.
Sustainable urban development serves as a beacon of hope for building cities that are environmentally friendly, socially inclusive, and economically prosperous. As more cities embrace this holistic approach, they hold the power to reshape urban landscapes and create thriving metropolises.
The integration of sustainable infrastructure, green spaces, efficient transportation, and social equity initiatives is crucial for forging a greener future for urban areas. Through sustained collaboration, visionary leadership, and citizen engagement, we can achieve sustainable urban development and ensure a better quality of life for generations to come.
Similarly, sustainable urban development is one of the key strategies for achieving Ethiopia’s ambitious goals of economic growth, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. With a rapidly growing population and increasing urbanization rates, the Ethiopian government has recognized the need to adopt sustainable practices to ensure long-term prosperity and a high quality of life for its citizens.
Ethiopia’s many rural dwellers are migrating to cities in search of better job opportunities and improved living conditions. Rapid urbanization has put enormous pressure on existing urban infrastructure and services, including housing, transportation, water supply, and waste management systems.
So, the country’s commitment to sustainable urban development is an essential step towards achieving a harmonious balance between economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. By incorporating green infrastructure, affordable housing, sustainable transport, and effective waste management, the country aims to create cities that are livable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable for its citizens.
In recent years, with careful planning, innovative solutions, and collaborations, the country has been well-positioned to transform its urban centers and become a model for sustainable urban development in Africa and beyond. The recent forum “Russia-Africa: Sustainable Urban Future: Exchange of Experience and Partnerships for Common Goals” in Addis Ababa was a good step toward exchanging experience between Russian and African cities and regions.
The forum, which was organized by the United Nations Association of Russia, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia, explored ways of promoting sustainable urban development and cooperation between Russian and African regions and cities.
The forum’s agenda was filled with talks and presentations about the development of urban communities and cooperation between cities and regions in Russia and Africa. Various Russian areas offered their encounters with sustainable urban development.
Addressing the forum, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, stressed the need for cooperation and the exchange of experience to solve the problems associated with urbanization. Terekhin also emphasized the need to focus on actual and visible growth in urban development besides working on expansion.
He also emphasized Russian cities’ success, notably Moscow, in establishing comfortable settings for their citizens, while stressing his country’s eagerness to provide feedback to African towns. Lauding Addis Ababa’s significant transformation in the last four years, the Ambassador also pledged to back the city’s ongoing reform activities.
He expressed optimism about the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit on July 26–29 in St. Petersburg, stating that it will strengthen relations between Russia and Africa. In a media briefing following the opening of the forum, Ambassador Terekhin highlighted economic and humanitarian issues as the main agenda for the summit. He emphasized the importance of setting concrete growth directions between Africa and Russia by the end of the summit, which will pave the way for further cooperation.
The experience and progress of Moscow in areas such as ecology, Transport, Digitalization, Green Bonds and Industry Support, Housing Renovation programs, and partnerships with worldwide Cities were presented on the forum. Also, traditionally, Moscow and African countries have enjoyed warm and friendly relations. Now, Moscow takes great pride in its commitment to sustainable development and is actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with African cities.
Moscow is committed to comprehensive cooperation in sustainable urban development, particularly with African cities. With a wealth of practical projects and a strong focus on sustainability, Moscow is ready to share its experience and collaborate with African cities to create a better future for generations to come, as said on the forum and in the paper presented at the event.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ambassador Evgeny Terekhin said that the forum, organized by the Russian Association of Collaboration with the United Nations, focused on addressing the challenges of urban development in modern cities and towns. The event aimed to foster cooperation and the exchange of experience in finding solutions to these problems.
The increasing concentration of the global population in urban areas brings about both opportunities for development and a host of issues that need to be resolved. The forum underscored the need for collaboration in tackling these challenges, he said.
Regarding the development of Russian cities compared to Ethiopia, it was noted that Russian cities appear to have a more organized approach. The existence of general plans for the development of Ethiopian cities was uncertain, unlike in Russia, where every settlement has a perspective plan in place. While Addis Ababa does strive to incorporate planning features, it was acknowledged that implementing such measures is not without its difficulties, he added.
Furthermore, direct economic links between different regions and cities within our countries remain an untapped reservoir for cooperation. “We must actively pursue the development of this collaboration, as it is conducive to advancing the entirety of our diverse relationships.”
The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration and the exchange of experiences in addressing the challenges of urban development. He also drew attention to the need for organized development plans in cities and the utilization of economic links for the benefit of both nations.
Beyond the interview about the forum, he said BRICS is gaining increasing appeal for countries that are not members as it provides an alternative to the dominant influence of the collective West. This growing attractiveness is fueled by the rising population, production, and GDP shares of the BRICS in the global economy.
African states, among others, have already expressed their interest in joining the association. The expansion of BRICS is believed to benefit both current and new members. It is important to note that all decisions within BRICS are made through unanimous agreement among the five member states, indicating a mutual commitment to joint resolutions.
It is known that some African and other countries are asking to join the BRICS. Ethiopia also officially asked to join this bloc recently. The Ethiopian government anticipates a favorable response to their plea. “The current global order is rapidly changing, and Ethiopia is working to become a member of various international organizations in order to understand the dynamics of global politics and protect its national interests,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) disclosed recently in a weekly media briefing.
BY EYUEL KIFLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 25 JULY 2023
