ADDIS ABABA– Authority for Civil Society Organizations and Russian BRICS Experts Council yesterday discussed possible cooperation areas under BRICS Civil Forum among member countries’ civil society organizations.
Speaking at the discussion, [Ethiopian] Authority for Civil Society Organizations Deputy General Director, Fasikaw Molla said that the BRICS Civil Forum is important for Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has been reforming the Civil Society sector for the last four or five years. And, the civil Society originations are engaging in several developmental and democratization processes. Both Ethiopian and Russian representatives described their optimism under BRICS framework.
“We need more partner at this moment… [] BRICS will be an alternative partner for building vibrant in thriving Civil Society Organization sector in Ethiopia. I hope BRICS is a complementary to the traditional alternatives of Intergovernmental cooperationists. This will definitely bring up ample benefits and opportunities to CSOs in Ethiopia,” he said.
Ethiopia has a strong belief that the forum will be a platform to enhance constructive dialogue between CSOs of BRICS member countries on the wide range of social economic issues. The platform will help Ethiopia to improve coordination among CSOs, he noted.
He said, “It will advance BRICS people to people cooperation for the benefit of our people. So, we consider this platform as strategic and very important. The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations and stakeholders are committed and proactive to a constructive and mutually complementary cooperation under the BRICS Civil Forum.”
Head of BRICS Experts Council-Russia,
Victoria Panova (PhD), said that Ethiopia’s membership in BRICS is not just the right choice but also a strategic step that allows talking about new heights in political economic, humanitarian development. Joining forces and efforts together with our 10 countries in order to reach better world; I think this is very important.
More than 40 countries have the desire to join BRICS. It is significantly playing in economic, peace, security and political affair. Ethiopia, as a second fastest growing economy in BRICS, will have active role that can simulate the BRICS developmental path, according to her.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2024
