Addis ababa: Several initiatives are underway in Ethiopia to leverage wetlands for economic benefit, according to Ministry of Water and Energy. The Second African Climate Summit is currently taking place in Addis Ababa under the theme ‘Accelerating Global Climate Solutions and Supporting Africa’s Green Development with Finance.’ On the sidelines of the summit, a panel discussion was held on Tuesday to explore how to use Africa’s natural resources to enhance the resilience of wetlands and make them suitable for green development.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Integrated Water Resources Management Head at the Ministry of Water and Energy, Debebe Deferso, stated that wetlands have significant potential if given proper attention. In the past, public awareness of the importance of wetlands was low, and to change this, various new directives and regulations have been issued and are now being implemented. Debebe pointed out that the government is undertaking numerous projects to address the challenges and uti
lize wetlands for economic gain. As an example, he cited the Green Legacy Initiative, launched seven years ago, as a testament to this effort.
Wetlands International for East Africa Director, Julia Molonga, emphasized the need for a coordinated approach among various stakeholders to protect and develop wetlands. Wetlands can be used for fish farming and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, she added. Semeneh Shiferaw, the Ethiopian representative for Wetlands International, highlighted that wetlands have the natural capacity to mitigate climate change. However, he noted that due attention and protection are not given to them. Semeneh said that long-term investment in this sector could ensure food sovereignty and protect nature. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative creates a favorable environment for such efforts, he underscored.
Africa stands at a critical juncture, facing the dual challenges of climate change and the urgent need for sustainable development. The continent’s ecosystems, particularl
y its wetlands, are invaluable assets in this struggle, yet they remain profoundly undervalued and under threat. This side event was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through The Wetlands 4 Resilience (W4R) program being implemented in the Ziway Shala landscape.