By: Goshu Melisew
Ethiopia is spearheading a significant national convergence workshop on Climate Action (CA) and Ethiopian Food Systems Transformation & Nutrition (EFSTN), bringing together diverse stakeholders to address climate challenges and ensure sustainable food security.
Running from January 15 to 17, this landmark event unites government leaders, development partners, private sector representatives, academics, and civil society to integrate climate resilience into Ethiopia’s food systems and nutrition strategies. The workshop aims to strengthen implementation capacities, foster inclusive dialogue, and align with Ethiopia's commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Dr. Mekides Daba, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, highlighted the urgency of climate adaptation, stating, “Building resilience to climate change is a cornerstone of our work. Climate impacts every aspect of our lives—from nutrition to the resurgence of diseases. Droughts, floods, and the alarming resurgence of vector-borne and water-borne diseases are impacting our continent and the globe. However, we have the capacity to learn, and we have been learning a lot to mitigate these impacts.”
Ethiopia’s Agriculture Minister, Girma Amente, emphasized integrating climate solutions into national strategies: “Game-changing solutions are not isolated activities; they are integrated into our national processes and aligned with Ethiopia’s international commitments. Our approach ensures inclusivity while focusing on achieving impactful results that address systemic challenges in food systems and climate adaptation.”
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov praised Ethiopia's potential to lead on the continent, noting, “Ethiopia has the opportunity to become one of the largest economies in the world by transforming its food sector. This nation, blessed with abundant natural resources and capacities, faces climate change challenges that are not of its own making. Yet, it stands as an example for the continent, showing that full-sector transformation is achievable with determination and vision.”
Experts and international partners emphasized the need to implement climate-smart agriculture, expand irrigation systems, and promote drought-resistant crops, while urging robust action to address climate change.
The workshop's outcomes are set to include the development of a Convergence Action Blueprint (CAB), a strategic document outlining actionable steps for merging climate action and food systems transformation. The CAB will emphasize inclusive participation, ensuring no community is left behind in Ethiopia’s climate resilience efforts.
Key discussions will focus on integrating climate risks into food systems, identifying sustainable financing mechanisms, and engaging the private sector to drive transformational change. The event also underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century and tackling the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.
With its 10-year development plan in motion, Ethiopia’s proactive alignment of climate and food strategies positions the country as a model for integrated sustainable development in Africa and beyond.