Africa-Press – Ethiopia. March 20/2021(ENA) Industrialized countries should extend financial, technical and technological support to assist mitigation and adaptation efforts by developing countries like Ethiopia, Planning and Development Commission Commissioner, Fitsum Assefa urged.
The Commissioner made the remark at the first Canada-Africa Clean Growth Symposium held virtually for three days.
The symposium aimed at exploring innovative policies to grow robust low-carbon economies and build resilience to a climate change and future shocks, fostering cooperation, research and international alliances devoted to clean growth as well as mobilizing capital for clean and low-carbon growth and energy in Africa.
During the symposium, Fitsum has presented Ethiopia’s climate change resilient and green growth strategy that aims to realize sustainable economic development with environmentally friendly policy and strategies.
The Commissioner also elaborated Ethiopia’s tremendous effort to reduce climate change vulnerabilities and exemplary role in the ongoing reforestation efforts with active involvement of the country’s top leadership.
She underlined the need for comprehensive strategy to fight against desertification across Africa.
Fitsum has also noted that industrialized countries like Canada are contributing the lions share in polluting the environment and therefore should extend their financial, technical and technological support to assist mitigation and adaptation efforts by developing countries like Ethiopia.
At the end of the symposium, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Karina Gould announced Canada’s contribution of 132.9 million USD to establish the Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund.
The Fund aims to enhance women’s economic rights and participation in climate action, and to mobilize private capital to fill the climate investment gap in Africa, it was indicated.
The symposium has brought together over 1400 people and included participation from 35 African countries, giving access to highlight potential investment and commercial opportunities on developing clean growth solutions and creating job opportunities.
It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada in collaboration with the Ethiopian and Senegal Embassy in Ottawa, according to ministry of Foreign Affairs.
