Ethiopia Setting Precedent for Africa, Entire World in Addressing Climate Change: UN Food Systems Advisor 

Addis Ababa, January 18, 2025 (ENA) —Ethiopia is setting a precedent for Africa and the entire world with its enormous commitment to addressing climate change impacts, Advisor at the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub David Nabarro said.

The country has been undertaking decisive steps in its convergence initiative which aims to foster Ethiopian food system and nutrition as well as climate action which will simultaneously support the SDGs and Paris climate agreement.

Advisor at UN Food Systems Coordination Hub Nabarro told ENA that in Ethiopia, there is a massive effort underway in bringing together different stakeholders with the aim to ensure food security and nutrition alongside addressing climate change impacts.

The country is working on creating systems that converge different ministries, academic groups, civil society and other partners particularly in the private sector to realize its ambitions.

In Ethiopia, you are setting an example for Africa and the world on how to do this, he said, adding it is your convergence process and you are teaming up with the UN systems as part of the convergence initiative.

He stated that Ethiopia has an economy that is agrarian, yet vulnerable to climate change. 

“I see an enormous commitment by the government of Ethiopia to addressing the challenges and trying to create an environment where everybody is able to enjoy good nutrition, and all farmers are able to have a decent income and the country can move forward,” he said.

The advisor also commended the initiatives taken by the government in order to ensure climate proof agriculture and food system, in order to increase resilience, in order to get value chains to be able to function despite climate change effects.

The government is trying to do everything possible to get the right science and innovation, the right public-private-partnerships, and the right engagement of the public so they are on this together, he affirmed.

For him, Ethiopia’s ongoing endeavors are remarkable and commendably moving forward, where other countries can learn from the country’s experience. 

Stressing the need to reinforce the role of partners at all levels, he added the need for partnerships with businesses, smaller and medium enterprises and farmers, among others.

Strengthening the partnerships with CSOs, media, international community, UN Systems, development banks, cooperation across the AU is also instrumental as Ethiopia has shown its continued commitment for partnership in multiple directions, he emphasized.

The country has been working on integrating the climate change risks into the country’s food systems transformation in collaboration with the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, development partners and national stakeholders, it was learned.