Conflict over land, water, and other natural resources are at the root of many historical and modern conflicts in Ethiopia and around the world.  The UN anticipates that climate change will acerbate resource-based conflict in the coming years. 

Recognizing that constructive dialogue is the only durable solution to peace in Ethiopia, the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia supported one-day workshops in Mekelle and Addis Ababa March 13 and 15 to introduce conflict mediation mechanisms with demonstrated success in defusing community-level resource-based conflict.  The workshops trained sixty-five government officials, university faculty, civil society leaders and think tanks working on environment on how to integrate mediation techniques into their strategies for resolving local land and resource disputes by encouraging all parties to look for shared interests that lead to pathways out of conflict and towards constructive problem solving.  

This Restorative Practices for Environmental Problems project was implemented by Mekelle and Bahir Dar Universities through a U.S. government grant.

Achieving the global target set at COP28 to triple renewable power capacity by 2030 relies heavily on establishing conducive conditions for such growth. Tripling renewable power capacity by 2030 is technically feasible and economically viable, but its delivery requires determination, policy support and investment at-scale.

“Tracking COP28 outcomes: Tripling renewable power capacity by 2030” highlights that 2023 has set a new record in renewable deployment, adding 473 gigawatts (GW) to the global energy mix. However, the brief by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) concludes that tripling renewable power capacity depends on overcoming systemic and structural barriers to the energy transition.

Evolving policies, geopolitical shifts and declining costs have all played a role in propelling the rapid expansion of renewable energy in markets worldwide. Yet, to triple renewable power capacity, concerted efforts are required to enhance infrastructure, policies and workforce capabilities, underpinned by increased financing and closer international cooperation, as outlined in IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook brief presented at the Berlin Energy Transitions Dialogue.

A groundbreaking partnership between the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) took center stage at the African Island States High-Level Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 37^th AU Summit and hosted by the ECA.

This innovative partnership is materializing through the RESIslands initiative, aimed at supporting the nine members of the African Island States Climate Commission —Cabo Verde, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, and Zanzibar – Tanzania—in managing climate risks and bolstering resilience.

At the High-Level Meeting, discussions revolved around this new partnership, the preparations for the upcoming 4^th International SIDS Conference in Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024, and the AISCC annual report for the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), which was adopted during the 37^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

Ambassador Dr. John N. Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy for Health Diplomacy, announced the approval of the $111 million (over 6 billion Birr) Country Operational Plan 2023 (COP23) through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program to support Ethiopia’s continued response to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.  

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin J. Massinga, along with Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba, attended the virtual event and gave remarks. 

The COP23 Year 2 plan represents ongoing cooperation between PEPFAR and the Ministry of Health to develop joint programming to support the needs of people living with HIV in Ethiopia.  The approval announced by Ambassador Nkengasong ensures a continuation of this programming, which will ensure Ethiopia is on track to achieve epidemic control by 2030.