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Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has been awarded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Prize for Peace for his commendable work in pursuit of peace.

The Prime Minister was declared winner of the award by Audrey Azoulay, the DirectorGeneral of UNESCO, at the 2019 World Press Freedom Day global conference opened in Addis Ababa today.

The event is being held under the theme “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in times of Disinformation,” and brought together more than 2,000 participants from over 95 countries.

UNESCO’s Prize for Peace goes to individuals who have “actively contributed to bring peace by solving international conflicts, by searching dialogue and negotiation in their conciliation role and by achieving ecumenical understanding for tolerance,” according to office o the Prime Minister.

Past laureates of the Prize have included personalities such as French President François Hollande, Nelson Mandela and Frederik W. De Klerk; Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat; King Juan Carlos of Spain and former US President, Jimmy Carter.

Former Ethiopian President Dr Negasso Gidada, who died last Saturday, will be laid to rest on Sunday May 5, 2019, according to the National Committee set up to oversee his funeral arrangements.

In a joint press conference issued by Chairperson of the Committee, State Minister of Finance, Dr Eyob Tekelegn and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayana, his body will be flown to Addis Ababa from Germany on Saturday.

A farewell ceremony will be held at the Millennium Hall on Sunday, beginning from 12a.m. and his body will be laid to rest at St Peter and St Paul church on the same day at 3pm local, the committee indicated.

In its meeting held today, the Council of Ministers tabled a proposal to the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) to declare a national day of mourning.

A book of condolences opened today in the premises of the late former President and it will remain open until tomorrow.

World Bank Group President David Malpass will visit Ethiopia, Madagascar and Mozambique from April 29 to May 3, 2019.

The visit will be his first overseas trip as head of the WB, since assuming leadership of the organization on April 9, 2019, a press release the WB issued said.

His visit will focus on the WB Group’s work with African countries in promoting economic stability and building resilience, and its support to the poor countries through the International Development Association.

The potential of private sector partnerships to attract and build the resources necessary to help people reach their development goals is also said to be his focus.

During his visit, the President will meet with leaders of the countries and other stakeholders, and will visit several World Bank Group-funded projects in each of the countries.

The WB Group President quoted as saying “I have chosen the African continent for my first official visit as World Bank Group President, recognizing the difficult challenges for leaders in promoting economic growth, security, and good governance.”

“We must increase Africa’s development momentum to foster broad-based growth, raise median incomes, create jobs, tackle climate resilience, and incorporate women and young people in economies.”

He also expressed hope that to get some idea on how the Group can support the countries.

“I am looking forward to hearing from government leaders, private sector representatives – and directly from the people of Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Mozambique – on how the Bank Group can further assist in meeting these challenges.”

On the margins of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF), the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with four Chinese companies that have decided to invest in Ethiopia.

The MoUs were signed with Taison Group and Green Diamond, Amity Printing, CGCOC Group and Zhende Medical Products Manufacturing, according to office of the Prime Minister.

According to agreement, Taison Group and Green Diamond will establish a large-scale bamboo pulp-paper manufacturing in Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz regional state with a capacity to manufacture 1 million tons pulp paper per annum.

Amity Printing will set up a printing factory in Ethiopia, CGCOC Group establish a fully integrated livestock and meat processing plant with an annual slaughtering capacity of 300,000 cattle and 3 million sheep in Awash, Fentale.

Zhende Medical Products Manufacturing agreed to invest in a pharmaceutical plant in Kilinto Industrial Park to manufacture wound care, surgical sensory, pressure therapy and fixed products, the office indicated.

Ethiopia and China have signed a 1.8 billion US dollars investment agreement which covers provision of electric power transmission and distribution lines.

The agreement was signed following Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed’s meeting with State Grid Corporation of China, according to Office of the Prime Minister.

PM Dr Abiy also oversaw the signing of the agreement in Beijing, China.

The project will supply power for up to 16 industrial parks; the Addis Ababa to Djibouti 2nd railway line and for different cities in the country, the office added.

The agreement will facilitate not only uninterrupted power supply but also enable the creation of jobs, it was noted.

In a related development, the Prime Minister met with the leadership of the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in Beijing, China yesterday.

CRCC’s current largest engagement includes connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti through the railway project.

CRCC have expressed interest in investing in agro-industry parks development, oil and gas development and the beautifying Sheger river project.

The Prime Minister also met with the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure).

They guaranteed their full cooperation, particularly in enabling the materialization of the investment in energy by the State Grid Corporation of China.