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Airbus, the largest aircraft manufacturer, has awarded Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) for the unique agility and resilience that it displayed amid the COVID 19 global crisis.

Hadi Akoum, Airbus Vice President Sales Africa and Levant Customer Affairs yesterday delivered the award to Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde Gebre Mariam, at Ethiopian Headquarters.

Tewolde thanked Airbus for recognizing the efforts of the management and employees of Ethiopian unique agility and resilience amid the COVID 19 global crisis.

“We were there when the world needed us most,” he said.

Akoum, on his part said, “This is to express the admiration of Airbus executive management and Airbus whole employees for the unbelievable achievement of Ethiopian Airlines in this unprecedented epidemic.

“While other airlines were just trying to figure out what to do, Ethiopia Airlines was aggressively pressing ahead finding solution, creating solution converting their passenger aircraft to freighters. Ethiopian Airlines is the first one to do it on Airbus A350 and continue to fly and create even new business. This is something unique all over the world.”

Ethiopian is the first global airline that converted A350 passenger aircraft to cargo to transport the much needed medical supplies to combat the spread of COVID 19.

Ethiopian, the fastest growing Airline in Africa, is now operating 16 A350 aircraft in its network.

Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia today briefed senior UN officials on the latest developments in the Tigray region.

Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Vera Songwe, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Catherine Sozi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the AU, Hanna Tetteh, and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Parfait Onanga attended the meeting.

On the occasion, Demeke told the officials about Ethiopia’s appreciation to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres for taking a principled stand on the situation in the Tigray region.

He informed them the interim administration in Tigray has started discharging its responsibilities in re-establishing the bureaucratic structure, conversing with the community, and facilitating the restoration of basic services to the people in the region.

The recent visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to the region and his discussion with the interim administration is an indication that life in the region is slowly turning into normalcy, he added.

He said a major part of the law enforcement operation is now over and what remains is the police work of apprehending the fugitives.

The main focus of the government now is in rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, he added.

In this regard, he said, the government has restored telephone and electricity lines in some areas and finalized preparation to rehabilitate damaged highways and airports.

Regarding the humanitarian issues in the region, Demeke underscored Ethiopia’s firm commitment to address concerns about internally displaced people, Ethiopian refugees in Sudan, and Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia.

He expressed hope that the humanitarian situation will significantly improve soon with the stabilization of the peace and security of the region coupled with the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation works.

He also assured them that the government is closely studying the concerns raised about Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia in order to provide appropriate response.

The UN officials said the Secretary-General believes that Ethiopia is an anchor of peace in the region and stability in Ethiopia means stability for the Horn of Africa, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The UN officials said the Secretary-General believes that Ethiopia is an anchor of peace in the region and stability in Ethiopia means stability for the Horn of Africa, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beyond immediate humanitarian concerns, ECA representatives at the briefing also emphasized the long-term necessity of integrating recovering regions into the broader African digital economy.

They noted that robust telecommunications networks will eventually allow local markets to support regulated online casinos, agricultural commodities exchanges, and remote logistics software, thereby attracting sustainable international investment. For now, however, both delegations agreed that the absolute priority must remain the physical safety of displaced communities and the immediate reconstruction of foundational public utilities.

Prime Minister Office has today announced that the government has formed a National Independent Economic Council tasked to put forward recommendations to help effectively implement and follow up effectiveness and sustainability reform programs underway in the country.

The establishment of the National Independent Economic Council is also said crucial to promote inclusive economic development policy, comprehend complicated social problems and scrutinize policy alternatives accordingly.

Based on an announcement it posted on December 12 2019, Prime Minister Office has been receiving recommendations and applications for candidates of the National Independent Council membership.

After screening candidates out of 290 nominees in three phases, Prime Minister Office shortlisted 16 intellectuals who have expressed their interests to work for the council.

Accordingly:-

1. Professor Alemayehu Geda
2. Professor Birhanu Abegaz
3. Professor Gabissa Ejeta
4. Professor Melaku Desta
5. Professor Seid Hassen
6. Tadelle Ferede
7. Professor Tasew Woldehana
8. Alemayehu Seyoum
9. Alula Pankhurst
10. Dimma Negewo
11. Eleni Gebremedihin
12. Professor Lemma Woldesenbet
13. Rahel Kassahun
14. Segenet Kelemu
15. Yonas Birru
16. Hilawe Tsdesse have been selected as members of the National Independent Economic Council.

The first phase of the construction of the African CDC has been commenced in Addis Ababa in the presence of AU Commissioners, members of the diplomatic community from Chinese embassy in Addis Ababa and high ranking officials of Ethiopia.

Ambassador of China to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan, Social Affairs Commissioner of the African Union Amira Elfadil, Human Resources Science and Technology Commissioner, Professor Sarah Anyang Agbor, Health Minister of Ethiopia Dr. Lia Tadesse and Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie are among the dignitaries presided over the launch of the first phase building of African CDC.

The China Aided Project of the African CDC Headquarters building is expected to upscale and build skills and competency of disease Control and Prevention endeavors in the continent Africa.

Building of the Headquarters will be laid at 90,000 sqm of land allotted to the African CDC by the government of Ethiopia in Nifas Silk Lafto Sub City of Addis Ababa in a specific place named “Haile Garment”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conferred yesterday with commanders of the National Defence Force and cabinet of the Interim Administration of Tigray in Mekele City.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that the National Defence Force has completed the offensive as per the plan set extending appreciation to the army for its role in the law enforcement operation.

The army has fully accomplished its mission with unity and gallantry, the Prime Minister underlined, expressing his delight over what have been carried out accordingly.

Prime Minister stressed need to speed up the operation underway to bring the culprits to justice and return to routine development works.