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H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance and H.E. Ambassador Dr. Seleshi Bekele held discussions with about 50 investors, manufacturers and exporting companies in the apparel and footwear sectors at a workshop organized by the Embassy of Ethiopia. The main focus of the workshop was to review the impacts of the termination of Ethiopia’s AGOA benefits on Ethio-American business and economic relations. H.E Dr. Eyob and Ambassador Seleshi briefed the participants on the various concrete measures the Ethiopian Government has undertaken regarding all of the concerns expressed by the U.S. Government when it announced the termination of AGOA.The participants highlighted that the decision made to suspend Ethiopia’s AGOA benefits is counterproductive and it disproportionately affects thousands of poor employees as well as the manufacturers and investors in the sector who relied on the AGOA program when they developed their businesses in Ethiopia.Since the U.S. Government terminated Ethiopia’s AGOA eligibility in January 2022, thousands of workers in the textile and footwear sectors have lost their jobs and livelihoods (mostly young women who support children and elderly parents). The participants have expressed their concern that thousands of additional jobs will be lost if the AGOA benefits are not restored.With regard to the conflict in the northern part of the country, the participants appreciated the measures undertaken by the Ethiopian Government and the significant progress made in allowing unfettered access to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people in Tigray and other conflict-affected regions, and the various investigations it has conducted into alleged human rights violations. They also expressed their support to the Government’s commitment to the AU-led peace process towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict.In this spirit, the participants expressed their appeal to the U.S. Government to reconsider its decision and reinstate Ethiopia’s AGOA benefits without further delay with the aim of fostering the long-standing relations between Ethiopia and the United States.

On the sideline of the WB and IMF Annual Meetings, the Ethiopian delegation led by the Minister of Finance H.E. Ahmed Shide met the UK State Minister for Development Minister Ms. Vicky Ford.

They held productive discussions on current political and economic issues in Ethiopia.

H.E. Ahmed Shide briefed the UK Minister on the Government’s bold economic reform, the peace process, the multiple shocks encountered recently and related impacts.

They also exchanged views on the crucial support needed from development partners, including international financial institutions and bilateral agencies, to implement said reform and address the overlapping challenges Ethiopia is facing.

The UK Minister on her side commended the reform efforts, welcomed the progress towards peace, expressed concerns about the drought and humanitarian situation, and assured continued development support of the UK to Ethiopia

The delegation conducted a productive discussion on issues related to the new IMF program for Ethiopia, accessing IMF’s Food Shock Window, and G20 Common Framework debt profiling.

The Minister briefed the MD on the commitment of the Government in implementing an ambitious economic reform, the peace process, the challenges stemming from the multiple shocks encountered and the crucial support needed from the IMF. The MD, on the other hand, assured continued support of the Fund to Ethiopia.

The Green Legacy initiative in Ethiopia, according to H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, strengthens regional cooperation and will ultimately serve as a crucial platform to ensure peace and stability in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia provided high-quality seedlings of preference to some of its neighbors last year and plans to do the same in the years to come in an effort to promote regional cooperation and combat the negative effects of climate change, Mr. Demeke said.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister made the remarks during a high-level UN side event held today (September 22) in New York to discuss Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative and its role in battling climate change and easing the socio-economic crisis.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister praised the initiative, which is led by H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, thanked UNDP for its partnership with Ethiopia and called on support for the Initiative from bilateral and multilateral development partners.

Supporting the Green Legacy Initiative, according to Mr. Demeke, has enormous advantages for national, regional, and international adaptation and mitigation of the harmful effects of climate change, biodiversity preservation, combating desertification, ensuring green development, ensuring food security, and achieving the SDGs.

Mr. Alhaji Fall, speaking on behalf of Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), described the Green Legacy initiative as a stepping stone to a better future for Ethiopia.

Announcing UNDP’s plan to share Ethiopia’s experiences with about 10 other countries and make the Green Legacy initiative pan-African, he praised Ethiopia for setting the pace in combating climate change and for fostering community resilience.

Dr. Adefres Worku, a technical committee coordinator for the Green Legacy initiative, tabled a presentation outlining the initiative’s three years of experience and potential benefits at the continental level.

The high-level side event was organized by the Government of Ethiopia in partnership with UNDP and the African Union Mission to the UN.