At the recent Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) held in Addis Ababa, world leaders delivered a clear and urgent message: ensuring global food security requires smart, strategic investment, not mere aid or charity. Ethiopia’s Agriculture Minister Girma Amente emphasized that addressing food shortages is fundamentally about investing in our shared future.

Co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, the summit took place amid unprecedented crises, including climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and economic instability — factors which have severely exposed the fragility of global food systems. Girma highlighted the strong international commitment demonstrated by the presence of senior leaders and the UN Deputy Secretary-General, reaffirming the collective resolve to overcome these urgent challenges.

“The summit focused on unlocking and redirecting both public and private financing towards sustainable food systems,” Girma said. “This is not a charitable issue; it is a smart, strategic investment in our shared future.”

Italy’s Agriculture Minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, underscored the deep partnership between the two nations in advancing food security. He stressed Italy’s dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture based on its own agri-food expertise and environmentally sound farming sectors. Lollobrigida also detailed Italy’s “Mattei Plan,” a strategic framework fostering mutual, respectful cooperation with Africa, marking a departure from previous philanthropic models. “Hosting the summit in Ethiopia reflects our commitment to center Africa in this global agenda,” he added.

Representing the UN Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged that while nations are developing programs to transform their food systems, current efforts remain insufficient. She expressed grave concern over the weaponization of hunger in conflict zones, specifically citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a “man-made event” causing unjustifiable starvation. Mohammed also drew attention to the dire situation in Sudan, calling for adherence to international humanitarian law and unhindered aid access.

Despite these grave challenges, Mohammed conveyed a hopeful yet urgent call for action: “Change is not only possible; it is happening. Now is the time to step up.” The summit reinforced four key objectives: sharing progress and obstacles, strengthening inclusive multi-stakeholder accountability, mobilizing and broadening investment and finance, and sustaining momentum to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The 2025 World Food Security and Nutrition Situation Report (SOFI), released during the summit, pointed to a slight global reduction in hunger but stressed that urgent and large-scale investments are critical to accelerate progress. Over three days of deliberations from July 27 to 29, the summit reaffirmed the necessity of transforming commitments into actionable investment strategies to realize the ambitious food security and nutrition targets embedded within the SDGs.

The iconic Ethio Post building, famously known as the “Arada Post Office” and situated in the bustling downtown Piazza area, has been repurposed into a dynamic creative hub aimed at fostering youth engagement and nurturing innovation. This transformation represents a meaningful fusion of the city’s rich historical heritage with aspirations for modern economic growth.

Dating back to 1900, this historic building was home to Ethiopia’s first modern post office. Now, responding to urban development needs and the search for a fresh venue, Creative Hub Ethiopia—hailing from Mexico—has taken over management of the space for the next five years to promote creative industries and activities.

The initiative is designed to boost the country’s economy by providing a dedicated platform for Ethiopia’s burgeoning youth-driven creative sector. It is the result of a collaborative effort involving several international and domestic partners, with key financial and technical support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Italian Development Cooperation.

Forming part of UNIDO’s Global Creative Industries Program, and with additional backing from the Italian Development Cooperation, the project was officially inaugurated amid great optimism. Government officials highlighted the importance of not only creating jobs for the youth but also enabling them to establish new industries themselves. They emphasized that creative industries hold significant promise for economic diversification, job creation, and earning foreign exchange.

Representatives from the Italian Development Cooperation underscored the center as a manifestation of the shared vision between Ethiopia and Italy for sustainable development centered on young people. They described the innovation center as a vital platform enabling youth to transform ideas into actionable projects while connecting with both local and international markets.

In a significant step toward enhancing regional cooperation on migration and economic development, the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have pledged to work together on strategies that engage the private sector in supporting migrant reintegration and employment across East Africa.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director of PACCI, and Yuko Hamada, Senior Regional MRP Coordinator at IOM’s Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa. The discussion, held at PACCI’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, addressed the urgent need to align migration policies with economic opportunities and private sector participation.

Hamada presented up-to-date data on migration trends in the East African region, highlighting key challenges and the socio-economic impact of migration on both origin and destination countries. She provided an overview of regional migration frameworks and the issues faced by migrants themselves – including barriers to legal mobility, reintegration, and access to services.

For his part, Kebour Ghenna stressed PACCI’s interest in supporting migrants through reintegration initiatives that capitalize on the skills they acquire abroad. “Migrants return with valuable knowledge and experience. We must ensure they have access to financial services, improved financial literacy, and opportunities to contribute to their communities and economies,” he noted.

The conversation also covered the simplification of legal pathways for migration, the social costs borne by both sending and receiving countries, and the critical role of partnerships in addressing these multi-dimensional issues. Both sides agreed to jointly explore funding opportunities and collaborate on initiatives that align with their respective mandates.

PACCI, as the apex body representing national chambers of commerce and private sector institutions across Africa, is well-positioned to convene businesses and promote trade-led growth. The IOM Regional Office for East, Horn, and Southern Africa – based in Nairobi – supports 16 countries and works to promote safe, orderly, and humane migration.

The meeting marked a positive step toward deeper collaboration between the development and business communities in support of human mobility and inclusive economic development across the continent.

Ethiopia has been ranked as the least attractive country for mining investment in the world, according to the “2024 Annual Mining Companies Survey” released on July 29, 2025, by the Canada-based Fraser Institute. The comprehensive report, which evaluated 82 jurisdictions globally, placed Ethiopia at the very bottom in terms of mineral exploration and investment appeal, highlighting critical challenges related to policy stability and transparency.

The Fraser Institute’s ranking is based primarily on the Investment Attractiveness Index, a composite score that combines geological potential with government policy frameworks. While Ethiopia is rich in mineral resources, the survey reveals that its poor policy environment overshadows its natural wealth, deterring investors. Ethiopia ranked below Suriname and Niger, the two countries just above it, while Finland, Nevada, and Alaska ranked as the most attractive destinations for mining investments. Notably, Finland climbed from 17th to first place in 2023, underscoring the impact of improving policies.

The survey also includes a Policy Perception Index (PPI), described as a “report card for governments,” which assesses factors such as taxation, environmental regulations, legal systems, and political stability — all key influences on mining companies’ investment decisions. Ethiopia was among the bottom 10 countries in this category, reflecting low scores for policy clarity and stability. Other countries with poor policy outlooks include Bolivia, Madagascar, Russia, and Mozambique, suggesting that the dominant deterrent for mining companies in Ethiopia is an unfavorable policy climate rather than lack of mineral resources.

Respondents to the survey emphasized that while mineral endowments are fundamental, roughly 40% of their investment decisions hinge on the policy environment. This underscores the importance of transparent regulations, political stability, and fair legal frameworks in attracting exploration investment.

The survey, conducted annually since 1997, gathered data from 350 responses out of 2,289 mining companies worldwide engaged in exploration and related activities. Its findings are widely regarded as influential tools for governments seeking to improve their investment climates.

Despite Ethiopia’s wealth of natural resources, the report warns that without addressing crucial policy gaps, exploration investments will likely be diverted to countries with clearer and more investor-friendly frameworks. The Fraser Institute stresses that mineral riches alone do not guarantee investment unless accompanied by strong governance and regulatory environments.

The report’s insights have particular relevance for African nations. For example, Botswana, Africa’s highest-ranking country in the survey, slipped from 15th to 20th place overall, with a significant drop in its policy perception score. Concerns about regulatory duplication, security issues, and legal uncertainties have dented investor confidence even in this traditionally well-regarded mining jurisdiction. This development serves as a cautionary example that maintaining a positive policy reputation demands continuous effort.