Commissioner Piebalgs in Ethiopia to discuss strengthened relationship and sign €13.7 million climate change project
Today, European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs will meet the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and other members of the national government in Addis Ababa. Their discussions will provide an opportunity to further strengthen EU development cooperation with Ethiopia, an important regional partner to the EU and recipient of the single largest share of EU aid. Commissioner Piebalgs will explore ways to support the government's five-year "Growth and transformation" national strategy and will sign an agreement for the implementation of the Global Climate Change Alliance in Ethiopia.
Ahead of his trip, Commissioner Piebalgs said: "Ethiopia is a valued partner for the EU and we wish to further strengthen this relationship. I particularly look forward to deepening our dialogue on how to reach the Millennium Development Goals and on economic policies. I am grateful that Ethiopia is at the forefront of climate change debates in international fora. It is also one of the priority countries that the EU has chosen for projects under the Global Climate Change Alliance. Our signing of a €13.7 million grant agreement will be an important step in helping Ethiopia to build a climate-resilient economy."
Commissioner Piebalgs will meet:
- Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister
- Desalegn Hailemariam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Economic Development
- Tefera Deribew, Minister of Agriculture
Discussions will focus on Ethiopia's new drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and economic growth. In 2010, the Ethiopian government adopted a five-year national strategy, the Growth and Transformation Plan, which aims to ensure high annual growth rates and progress on the MDGs, particularly in health, education and access to water. This national strategy will be an opportunity for the EU to intensify and focus policy dialogue on key reform issues, such as the implementation of a new industrial policy or the modernisation of the national banking system.
In this respect, the Commissioner will also visit the Exchange Commodity Board and will meet with representatives of the business community.
Signing of project to fight Climate change
Commissioner Piebalgs and Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, will sign a grant agreement of over €13.7 million for the implementation of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) in Ethiopia. The main objective of the programme is to contribute to a carbon neutral and climate resilient economy. This project will be implemented in several watersheds alongside the Nile Basin. An estimated of 110,000 households in these five regions are expected to benefit from this. This will be done through
- institutional support to policies and programmes, mainly benefitting the Environment Protection Agency
- raising stakeholders’ awareness on climate change issues and enhancing their knowledge
- identifying and testing climate change practices in specific areas
For more information, please visit:
Website of the EU Delegation to Ethiopia: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ethiopia/index_en.htm
Website of the Global Climate Change Alliance: http://www.gcca.eu/pages/1_2-Home.html
