Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are essential to Ethiopia's journey toward economic sovereignty, affirmed Adem Farah, Head of the Democracy System Building Coordination Center with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President of the Prosperity Party (PP).
Speaking at a multi-stakeholder forum in Addis Ababa that gathered government officials, civil society representatives, and federal agency delegates on Friday, Adem Farah emphasized the critical need for enhanced coordination between CSOs and federal institutions. The event was dedicated to developing collaborative strategies aimed at addressing pressing national priorities.
In his keynote address, Adem highlighted the invaluable contributions of CSOs across various sectors, including human rights protection, peace-building, conflict resolution, democratic governance, environmental protection, and civic engagement. He also noted that recent legal reforms have significantly improved the operating environment for CSOs, fostering greater effectiveness.
"The government recognizes the vital role CSOs play in boosting productivity, creating employment, and advancing national development goals," , acknowledging their crucial support during times of crisis ENA quoted Adem as calling for CSOs' deeper engagement in ongoing nation-building efforts.
Adem reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to empowering civil society through strengthened collaboration and the establishment of a more supportive legal and institutional framework. This, he stressed, is designed to enable CSOs to effectively contribute to Ethiopia’s economic and social development.
Samson Birattu, Director General of the Civil Society Organizations Authority, echoed the Deputy Prime Minister's sentiments. He affirmed that recent reforms have indeed enhanced CSOs' capacity for constructive contributions and underscored the necessity of a robust cooperation framework between the government and CSOs to ensure optimal outcomes.
On his part, Ahmed Hussein, president of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, provided details about a newly established coordination platform designed to operate across federal, regional, and local levels. Managed by a central committee and various subcommittees, this platform will facilitate CSOs in raising concerns and collaboratively developing solutions. Hussein also emphasized that national unity and internal peace are paramount to withstanding external pressures, asserting that a strong civil society sector is critical for sustainable development and lasting peace in Ethiopia.
Participants at the forum shared diverse perspectives, collectively reinforcing the paramount importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation. The forum concluded with a shared consensus on the imperative of deepening partnerships between civil society and the government to effectively address Ethiopia’s most pressing challenges and accelerate the country’s path toward inclusive and sovereign development.