By: Goshu Melisew
The Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development has called on universities to take an active role in mitigating climate change and supporting the country's transition to a green economy.
Fitsum Assefa (PhD), Minister of Planning and Development, emphasized that universities are indispensable in addressing climate challenges and shaping informed policy decisions. "Universities hold the key to solving climate-related issues by closely collaborating with policymakers and contributing data-driven insights," she stated.
Ethiopia has taken various initiatives to combat climate change, but the inclusion of universities in these efforts is now seen as a critical step.
Ethiopian universities have formed a University Climate Action Forum as part of a nationwide effort to combat climate change and all 47 public universities have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Planning and Development to enhance research and policy engagement.
State Minister for Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonnen, stressed that climate change requires a multi-stakeholder approach, highlighting the need for collaboration among government institutions, academia, and private sector actors.
Eba Mijena (PhD) from the Ministry of Education underscored the socio-economic impact of climate change and the need for universities to integrate sustainable development goals (SDGs) into their research and curricula.
A policy framework on university-government-private sector collaboration in climate resilience was also presented by Professor Belay Simane of Addis Ababa University.
To further strengthen Ethiopia’s climate response, the Ministry of Planning and Development has held consecutive consultative meetings with key stakeholders, including the private sector, development partners, and research institutions.
These discussions aim to align national policies with scientific research and innovative solutions for climate resilience, it was learnt.