The Council of Ministers has held its 40th regular meeting today and deliberated on various issues, passing several resolutions. These include:
Mid-Term (2017-2021) Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework: The Council discussed and unanimously approved a macroeconomic and fiscal framework for the mid-term period (2017-2021). This framework will guide macroeconomic reforms, government fiscal policy adjustments, and a supplementary budget and expenditure adjustment for the Federal Government in 2017. The framework was revised and refined before approval.
Supplementary Budget and Expenditure Amendment: A supplementary budget and expenditure amendment, totaling 581,982,390,117 birr (five hundred eighty-one billion, nine hundred eighty-two million, three hundred ninety thousand, one hundred seventeen birr), was presented to and unanimously approved by the Council. This amendment is designed to implement the revised mid-term macroeconomic and fiscal framework, considering the government's financial capacity and projected revenues. The draft proclamation will be forwarded to the House of Representatives.
Establishment of the Institute of Certified Accountants in Ethiopia: The Council unanimously approved a draft proclamation establishing the Institute of Certified Accountants in Ethiopia. This institute is expected to significantly contribute to the development of qualified accounting professionals for both government and private institutions. The draft proclamation will be sent to the House of Representatives after incorporating further input.
Dry Waste Management and Disposal Proclamation: A draft proclamation addressing dry waste management and disposal was discussed and unanimously approved. This legislation aims to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of waste, including a ban on single-use plastic products. It establishes a comprehensive framework for waste collection, transportation, storage, recycling, and disposal, involving community and stakeholder participation. The proclamation will be forwarded to the House of Representatives.
Amendment to the National Reform Commission Establishment Regulation: The Council unanimously approved an amendment to the establishment regulation of the National Reform Commission, enabling the commission to better fulfill its mandated duties and responsibilities. The amendment will take effect upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.
The council then discussed the draft proclamation on the demarcation, development, care, and use of water body banks. Given the damages being inflicted on water body banks in our country, this proclamation was drafted to prevent such damages and to ensure the sustainable development, care, and protection of water body banks. As it improves water ecosystem services and provides additional social and economic benefits to the local community, the proclamation was presented to the council. After extensive deliberations on the draft, the council unanimously decided to forward it to the House of Peoples' Representatives.
Finally, the council discussed the draft proclamation establishing a basin-level high council for the implementation of integrated water resources management. Given the necessity of providing strategic leadership for the implementation of integrated water resources management at the basin level to enable Ethiopia to equitably and sustainably utilize its surface and groundwater resources, the draft proclamation was prepared and presented to the council. After extensive deliberations on the draft, the council, having added inputs, unanimously decided to forward it to the House of Peoples' Representatives.