Premier meets with WFP, IFAD, FAO chiefs (January 22, 2019)

Addis Ababa, January 21, 2019 – Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed met with chiefs of Rome based UN agencies, namely the World Food Program (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
During his talks with WFP Executive Director Mr. David Beasley, PM Dr Abiy acknowledged the agency for the crucial role it has been playing in supporting the government address food security, nutrition and capacity building interventions, according to Office of the Prime Minister.
Similarly, the Prime Minister held talks with Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in his second meeting with development partners.
Mr. Houngbo appreciated the Ethiopian Prime Minister for his courage and the changes that he has introduced this far. PM Abiy Ahmed highlighted the need for strengthening irrigation and food security interventions.
IFAD’s support to Ethiopia, which is the largest portfolio in Africa, is anchored in the Government’s commitment to the poorest communities through enhancing the productivity of smallholder farmers, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists.
They agreed to continue building on the performance of Ethiopia in addressing the need of poor communities through IFAD’s and the Government’s collaboration in medium scale irrigation and rural financing.
The Prime Minister also met with Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. José Graziano da Silva. Mr. da Silva appreciated the role being played by Ethiopia in the Horn region noting that peace is an important pre-condition.
He also particularly noted PM Dr Abiy’s political leadership in facilitating these changes.
PM Dr Abiy on his part highlighted that integration is a priority for him and therefore peace in the region as a critical foundation for realizing this goal.
With regards to food security and agriculture, PM Abiy Ahmed emphasized that the needs of small holder farmers is notably access to markets.
“This therefore requires joint technical interventions, which both agreed to build on and strengthen the existing cooperation,” he said.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy arrived in Rome, Italy yesterday for an official visit.
Upon arrival, he was warmly received by members of the Ethiopian community in Rome, where he will be holding key bi-lateral discussions with development partners beginning today.
He will also meet with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte following his invitation to PM Dr Abiy during his 2018 Ethiopia visit, according to office of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister will be attending World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland to begin on 22 January and end on 25 January, 2019. Prime Minister Dr Abiy is one of the key speakers at the Forum.
In Davos, he will also strike dialogues with world leaders, global business leaders, economists, politicians, international financiers, and renowned high-profile academics.
The theme of this year’s World Economic Forum is “Globalization 4.0: Shaping a New Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution”