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ETHIOPIA TODAY
Newsletter of the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Canada
Vol. III No.8 November 2016
The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Ottawa is located at
1501 - 2 75 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1P 5H9. Tel: 613 565 6637 Fax: 613 565 9175
e-mail: [email protected] , Website: www.ethioembassycanada.org 1
Foreign Minister Dion Visits Ethiopia
Canada's Foreign Minister, Stéphane Dion, visited
Ethiopia from November 11 to 13,2016 as part of
a seven-day visit to three African countries:
Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, he met
with Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn,
Foreign Minister Dr. Workeneh Gebeyehu and
other senior officials for discussions covering the
enhancement of bilateral relations and
cooperation, regional peace and stability,
humanitarian assistance, immigration and the
current situation of Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Hailemariam assured Foreign
Minister Dion of Ethiopia's full determination to
strengthen its partnership with Canada in the areas
of peace, security, and the fight against terrorism
as well as in trade, investment and other areas.
The Prime Minister also underlined that his
government remained committed to provide the
necessary support for Canadian investors in
Ethiopia.He briefed the Foreign Minister on the
way his government was handling the current
situation of the country and the State of
Emergency, through the principles of the rule of
law and with extreme care. He emphasized that
democracy, development, peace and stability were
the alpha and omega of Ethiopia's vital national
interests.
Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu met
with Mr. Dion on November 11,2016. The two
ministers agreed to cooperate on technology
transfer, infrastructural development, and creation
of employment opportunities for the youth as well
as ensure regional peace and security. Mr. Dion
further pledged to encourage Canadian investors
to put in their finance in Ethiopia and do business
with. Dr.Workneh noted that the strategic
friendship and cooperation that has existed
between Ethiopia and Canada for over half a
century has been based on a firm foundation of
mutual understanding, win-win formulation and
genuine respect. He underscored Ethiopia's
determination to make every possible effort to
ensure the success of the Ethiopia-Canada
partnership. Foreign Minister Dion again praised
Ethiopia's role in peacekeeping operations within
the region as well as in the continent. He
welcomed the recent Ethiopian cabinet reshuffle
which he said signaled the firm position the
government was taking to satisfy public demands
and assure sustainable development, good
governance and democracy.
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Ethiopia and Canada's official diplomatic relations
trace their establishment back to 1965 when they
established diplomatic representations in each
other's territory. Last year they held a series of
events to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic
relationship and friendship. These included a
Business Forum which brought a trade mission to
Ethiopia in February 2015. Another Ethio-
Canadian Business Forum, jointly organized by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ethiopian
Embassy in Canada and the Canadian Embassy in
Addis Ababa, took place at the Intercontinental
Addis Hotel in Addis Ababa in June/2016,
providing the opportunity for further networking
of Ethiopian and Canadian business
representatives and investors. Ambassador Baker,
Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, said this
underscored the growing relationship between
Ethiopia and Canada, through a growing
partnership and co-operation on development,
trade and investment. The Ambassador reiterated
the importance of the role of trade and commerce
in boosting relations between the two countries
and emphasized the way trade could be an
important agent of change in empowering people.
He noted that Ethiopia was one of the largest
recipients of Canada's global development
assistance in various fields.
Ethio-Morocco Ties Move to a New
Level of Practical Cooperation
The longstanding friendship and cooperative
relationship between Ethiopia and Morocco is
moving to new levels of practical cooperation,
from the political to the economic sphere of
partnership, with the two day state visit of King
Mohammed VI of Morocco to Addis Ababa on
November 19 and 20,2016. The talks between
King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister
Hailemariam Dessalegn underlined the interest of
both countries to move into the realm of practical
economic cooperation, making development and
mutual interest the core element of bilateral
relations. The practical application of the new
cooperative partnership between the two countries
was exemplified by the signing of a framework
agreement between the government of Ethiopia
and Morocco's Office Cherifien des Phosphates to
partner in a joint venture to build a $3.7 billion
fertilizer plant. The complex, which will be OCP's
biggest investment outside Morocco, will be in
Dire Dawa. OCP's Chief Executive Officer,
Mostafa Terrab, said the aim would be to reduce
Ethiopia's dependence upon fertilizer imports. By
2022, Ethiopia would be able to produce 80% of
its fetilizer needs through this plant and be self-
sufficient by 2025.
The bilateral talks emphasized that both sides
were ready to carry forward bilateral ties and
deepen existing bonds of friendship. King
Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Hailemariam
Dessalegn discussed various issues of common
interest. They agreed to elevate links to a new
high and expedite cooperation in a comprehensive
manner. The two sides agreed on the need to
break new ground and tap into a new level of
cooperation within the framework of the Joint
Ministerial Commission. They called upon the
respective business communities to exploit the
potential of business and investment
opportunities.
Prime Minister Hailemariam applauded Morocco's
unremitting commitment for Africa's peace,
stability and development. He reiterated Ethiopia's
devotion to the realization of the values and
principles of the African Union. The Prime
Minister noted that it was in this regard that
Ethiopia commended the recent decision of
Morocco to rejoin the African Union as early as
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the next AU Summit. King Mohammed VI, who
expressed appreciation of the role played by
Ethiopia in the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development, (IGAD) described Ethiopia as an
advocate and promoter of peace, stability and
integration in Africa. He congratulated Prime
Minister Hailemariam on Ethiopia's election as a
non permanent member of the UN Security
Council and hailed Ethiopia's commitment to
promote Africa's interests.
The two leaders also exchanged views on issues
of peace and security in the region. They agreed
on the necessity to remain committed to the fight
against terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations as well as to work together against
transnational crimes. They also agreed to
strengthen international and regional coordination
and cooperation in support of peace and stability,
prevent armed conflicts, combat terrorism, and
promote a culture of tolerance and peaceful
coexistence. They also shared a commitment to
support efforts to combat the threat of climate
change in addition to working together to promote
sustainable development.
King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister
Hailemariam attended the signing ceremony for
cooperation agreements covering a number of
areas including a convention for the avoidance of
double taxation and the prevention of fiscal
evasion with respect to taxes on income;
agriculture; air services; and reciprocal promotion
and protection of investments. The two countries
also signed Memorandum of Understanding
committing both sides to work together in
economic, scientific, technical and cultural
cooperation; renewable energy development;
water management and irrigation, and hotel and
tourism training.
Vice-President of China Mr. Li
Yuanchao Visits Ethiopia
H.E.President Mulatu Teshome and Vice President of China
H.E. Mr. Li Yuanchao
Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn who
welcomed the Vice-President of the People's
Republic of China Mr. Li Yuanchao on
November 17, who was on an official visit to
Addis Abeba underlined that the ten cooperation
plans proposed by President Xi Jinping during the
last FOCAC Johannesburg Summit confirms
Ethiopia's Second Growth and Transformation
Plan with a view to transform the country's
economy.
Enhancing the production capacity complements
Ethiopia's efforts to create more jobs to the youth
and place Ethiopia's economy on industrial value
chain, he said. In this regard, Ethiopia seeks
China's support to encourage its enterprises to
invest in the country's industrial parks
development projects, agriculture and
infrastructure. Prime Minister Hailemariam
applauded China's support in the area of human
resource development. He also affirmed that
Ethiopia commits to work together with China on
the reform of the Security Council, adding that
Ethiopia is keen to collaborate on international
issues of common interest.
Mr. Li Yuanchao reiterated that the China-Africa
Forum held last year laid a solid foundation for
further growth of cooperation, adding that China
views Ethiopia as a key partner in Africa.
Expressing the commonalities shared by the two
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peoples and countries, the Vice-President drew
attention to the need for the rejuvenation of the
two nations grounded on political mutual trust,
mutual learning, mutual beneficial cooperation,
and collaboration at multilateral levels.
President Mulatu meeting with the Vice President
at the National Palace noted that the visit was a
reflection of the excellent and historic relations of
the two countries. The President who said that
Ethiopia attaches great importance to its relations
with China noted that mutual cooperation and
understanding defined the ties of the two peoples
and governments. The Vice President on his part
said that the comprehensive strategic partnership
is moving on a fast lane of development ranging
from the frequent high-level visits and cultural
exchanges, stating that Ethio-Chinese ties set as
an exemplary model in Africa.
President Mulatu appreciated efforts of the
government of China in supporting Ethiopia’s
flagship projects such as the Ethio-Djibouti
railway line and development of industrial parks,
calling for further assistance.
Saying that China is a strategic partnership to
Ethiopia, the President added that the relations
between the two countries serve as a model for
China-Africa relations.
The Chinese Vice President for his part said that
his country is committed to support the
development endeavors of Ethiopia, saying China
understands Ethiopia’s ambition for development.
Vice President Yuanchao assured the president
that his country will continue to share its rich
experiences to Ethiopia in human resources
development, technology transfer and job
creation.
Business and Economy
Ethio-Morroco Business Forum Takes Place in Addis Ababa
On the occasion of the vsit of King Mohammed
VI of Morrocco, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Business Diplomacy Directorate-General hosted
an Ethio-Morocco business forum at Hilton Addis
on November 18/2016, to lay a foundation for
their joint trade and investment relations.
The occasion brought together more than 40
investors and representatives of businesses from
both countries. Ethiopia's former State Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Regassa Keffale in his
opening remarks said the Forum provided an
important platform where the two countries could
strengthen their bilateral ties. With the recent
opening of Ethiopian mission to Morocco, he said
relations between Ethiopia and Morocco were
gathering momentum, adding that Ethiopia was
ready to receive Moroccan investors. He said
Ethiopia offered significant opportunities to
Moroccan investors, not least as a gateway to the
markets of Eastern Africa. The head of the
Moroccan business delegation, Ms. Miriem
Bensalah-Chaqroun, declared that the Forum
provided the opening for a new economic
relationship, stressing "the need to strengthen our
Economic ties". She said the two countries shared
common grounds of economic growth, more
investment and local jobs. She also noted that
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non-tariff regimes, and structural and institutional
problems related to economic connectivity were
areas on which the two sides could work.
Investment Commissioner Fitsum Arega in his
presentation on Ethiopia's conducive business
environment noted that Ethiopia had a clear
vision, strategy and policy, promoting specific
sectors. It had a fast growing economy, a huge
consumer market, an untapped natural resource, a
trainable and affordable labor force, and ample
infrastructure to ease connectivity in trade.
Moreover, he said, it offered duty-free market
access through agreements to the US, Europe and
East and Southern Africa. It also provided
attractive incentives including tariff-free import
and tax holidays. He invited Moroccan investors
to build their own industrial park. Mr. Solomon
Tadesse from the Ethiopian Tourism Organization
also briefed the delegation on Ethiopia's tourist
attractions, which he noted included a number of
UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He called on
Moroccan business delegates to demonstrate their
rich experience in tourism development in
Ethiopia.
The 6th International Conference on
Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Held in
Addis Ababa
The 6th International Conference on Pulses,
Oilseeds and Spices kicked off in Addis Ababa on
November 17, 2016 under the theme: "Agri-
commodity marketing for sustainable global
trade." Co-organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of
Trade and Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices
Producers and Exporters Association
(EPOSPEA) the two day conference aims to
strengthen and expand existing and new market
linkages and outlets to diverse product varieties of
the sector through consolidating the foundation
that has been already laid-down; with the view to
nurturing a common concern of those major
policy makers, international buyers, potential
investors, research institutes, development
partners and other actors in the value chain who
have been engaged in tapping its full potentials.
Opening the conference, State Minister of the
Ethiopian Ministry of Trade, Assad Zayed
underlined that the basic rationale behind
organizing such a global event was to enhance the
comparative advantage of the sector by creating
conducive platform for key industry players,
whereby positive results have been in store with
regard to enhancing the county's image abroad
and further boosting the sector's export market
linkages. The Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices sector
in Ethiopia is one of potentially endowed sector
with abundant resources in relative terms with
other diverse components of agricultural sector,
coupled with the potential to contribute
immensely to the country's overall development.
Last Fiscal year, the Minister added, Ethiopia has
earned 722.4 million USD from export of pulses,
oilseeds and spices.
The state Minister said that Ethiopia is paying
utmost priority to enhancing production and
productivity, exporting value-added items,
widening and diversifying market destinations
during the country's Growth and Transformation
plan period. He further said the progress made in
the sub-sector and the market modernization at the
Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) on online
trading and implementation of traceability has
become a benchmark for many African countries.
President of the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and
Spices Producers Exporters Association
(EPOSPEA), Haile Berhe underscored that the
event was instrumental in the sense that it would
create enabling platforms for both existing and
new clients to expand market and business
linkages and thereby offer further opportunities to
address the current challenges evident in the
sector. He said, ''The market opportunity that both
our exporters and importers will have at the end of
the deliberations through business-to-business
linkages and networking is the central milestone
this conference intends to achieve.''
The 6th International Conference on Pulses,
Oilseeds and Spices brought together international
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importers drawn from 20 countries,
representatives of public enterprises and the
private sector, under which stakeholders are
expected to use the platform to network with
peers, learn about the newest market trends,
discuss the challenges and opportunities in the
local and global market, and learn new ways of
increasing quality, productivity and marketability.
Ethio-German Business Round Table
Held in Addis Ababa An Ethio-German Business Roundtable was held
on November 14, 2016 at Hilton Addis, with a
twenty-person delegation from Germany and the
State of Bavaria being briefed on investment and
business opportunities in Ethiopia. The former
State Minister for Business and Diaspora Affairs
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia,
Regasa Kefale, emphasized the longstanding
relations of the two countries, pointing out that
Ethiopia and Germany have enjoyed excellent
diplomatic relations over more than a century. He
expressed Ethiopia's appreciation for the
meaningful support extended by the German
Government in the past half a century, support
which included one billion Euros under technical
and financial cooperation in education, food
security and agriculture. Mr. Regasa pointed out
that Ethio-German trade exchange has witnessed a
continuous growth in volume, last year reaching
half a billion US dollars. Equally, he emphasized
the "need to further increase and diversify trade
opportunities" between the businesses and
governments of the two countries.
The head of the Bavarian delegation, Mr. Ulrich
Konstantin Rieger, Deputy Head of the
Department for Internalization in the Bavarian
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy
and Technology, also emphasized that the
longstanding historic relationship between the two
countries should be further strengthened in the
fields of business and trade ties. The delegation,
which included Bavarian state officials, business
company leaders from the energy, construction
and manufacturing sectors as well as a number of
academic professors, would help enhance the
already strong economic relations that existed
between the two countries, he added.
Mr. Fitsum Arega, the Commissioner of Ethiopian
Investment Commission briefed the roundtable on
investment opportunities in Ethiopia, particularly
the manufacturing, agro- processing, energy and
pharmaceutical sectors. The Commissioner
stressed the favorable investment conditions
ranging from Ethiopia's fast growing economy,
which he pointed out was attracting massive FDI,
up to the well-oriented investment policy of the
government. He said Bavarian state companies
which were engaged in the manufacturing, energy
and construction sectors would be successful in
Ethiopia's conducive investment environment.
The Bavarian state delegation was also meeting
with government officials from the Ministries of
Education, Health, and Science and Technology
as well as other senior officials during its visit.
Tourism and Culture
‘Gadaa' Joins UNESCO's List of
Intangible Cultural Heritage
The ‘Gadaa' system, the indigenous democratic
socio-political system of the Oromo people has been
inscribed on the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural
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Heritage of Humanity. ‘Gadaa' was accepted and
inscribed at the 11th Session of UNESCO's
Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Addis
Ababa from November 28 to December 2/2016.
‘Gadaa' is the traditional system of governance of the
Oromo people in Ethiopia, regulating the political,
economic, social and religious activities of the
community dealing with a wide variety of issues
including conflict resolution, reparation and the
protection of women's rights in addition to serving as
a mechanism for enforcing moral conduct, building
social cohesion, and expressing the cultural norms of
the community. Its inscription on UNESCO's List of
the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will
underline and promote the visibility and significance
of this traditional system of governance, developed
from their experience and knowledge and practiced
by the Oromo people of Ethiopia.
Representatives of the 24 State Parties to UNESCO's
2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage attended the 11th
Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, chaired
by Yonas Desta Tsegaye, Director General of
Ethiopia's Authority for Research and Conservation
of Cultural Heritage. UNESCO defines intangible
cultural heritage as "traditions or living expressions
inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our
descendants," including oral traditions, rituals and
skills to produce traditional crafts. During its session,
the Committee examined five nominations for
inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 37 requests for
inscription on the Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The
Committee inscribed elements from Portugal, Uganda
and Ukraine on the List of Intangible Cultural
Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Also
examined were issues concerning intangible heritage
in emergency situations caused by conflict or natural
disaster. The Committee reviewed seven programs
proposed for inclusion on the Register of Best
Safeguarding Practices. It also considered the
creation of a monitoring instrument to measure the
Convention's impact and progress achieved.
UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which currently
numbers 336 inscribed elements, aims to enhance the
visibility of the traditions of different communities
and their knowledge "without recognizing standards
of excellence or exclusivity." In addition to
enhancing respect for the Oromo people's traditional
democratic socio-political system, placement of the
‘Gadaa' system on the Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity lends fresh
impetus for its preservation and promotion by the
Oromo people in the future, underlining its
importance as a marker of the community's identity
as well as a repository of knowledge and experience.
It will also encourage the ‘Gadaa' to contribute its
share to the positive development and transformation
of Ethiopia's political, economic and social practice,
meaning and experience.
Ahead of the opening of the 11th Session, Ethiopia
introduced the Intergovernmental Committee to
cultural performances showcasing the rich and unique
traditions and cultural heritage of the country. Over
300 artists and performers took part in a display of
the country's intangible cultural heritage. On the
occasion, President Dr. Mulatu Teshome underlined
Ethiopia's status as Africa's oldest independent
country, pointing out that "more than 80 nations with
distinct cultural traditions and values live here and
speak more than 80 different languages." He said
Ethiopia had been a member of UNESCO since 1955
and had always collaborated closely with it, adding:
"We take heritage as our legacy from the past and we
pass it on to the next generation. The Ethiopian
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government is committed to preserve it and safeguard
it and UNESCO has been a longstanding partner in
this endeavor." Ethiopia's Culture and Tourism
Minister, Dr. Hirut Weldemariam, described Ethiopia
as "a land of biodiversity and a mosaic of multiple
ethno-linguistic groups making room for various
religions in a state of peace and harmony."
UNESCO's Deputy Director-General Getachew
Engida described the "tremendous advances,"
achieved since the Convention for the Safeguarding
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage entered into force
offering a picture of "peace, diversity and inclusion."
The Deputy Director-General noted that UNESCO
attaches great importance to strengthening human and
institutional capacities at the country level through
the capacity-building strategy adopted by the
Committee. This had been implemented in more than
70 countries to support member states. UNESCO, he
said, valued the importance of support "to ensure that
sufficient attention is paid to intangible cultural
heritage in national development plans." The
Chairperson of UNESCO's Executive Board, Michael
Worbs, who noted the Committee was meeting in
Africa for the fourth time since its creation in 2006,
said this was indicative of "the central importance
that intangible cultural heritage has for Africa as a
whole," and underlined the priority of Africa in
UNESCO's activities.
Great Ethiopian Run 2016 Takes Place in
Addis
A sea of 42,000 people in green and yellow who
flooded the main streets of Addis on November
21/2016, in the 10km annual Great Ethiopian Run
affirm Ethiopians' commitment for peace and
togetherness. The warm and colorful sport event that
kicked off at 8.30 a.m. saw the participation of the
legendary Ethiopian middle and long-distance runner
Haile Gebrselassie who bade farewell to competitive
running, making his decision official before his
fellow countrymen. Haile Gebrselassie ran barefoot
in remembrance of the Ethiopian athlete Abebe
Bikila who broke a marathon record by a wide
margin after running without shoes in Rome in
September 1960. The founder of the Great Ethiopian
Run, Haile Gebreselassie, broke a total of 27 records
in 1000m, 5000m, in half-marathons and in
marathons.
The 16th edition of the 2016 TOTAL Great Ethiopian
Run 10km International held in Addis Ababa under
the theme “Live to Tell.”This year’s annual event
attracted 42,000 participants, including 500 elite and
two Kenyan athletes.Abe Gashahun from Amhara
Prison Administration, Jorum Lumbasi from Kenya
and Adugna Takele from Oromia Police finished
first, second and third respectively in the men’s 10
km race.In the women’s event, Foten Tesfaye from
Mesebo Cement Sport Club, Mulye Dekebo from
Oromia Police, Tadelech Bedaso from Oromia Prison
Administration finished first, second and third,
respectively.Abe Gashahun and Foten Tesfaye
received a 50,000 birr prize each.
More than 250 foreign nationals who came from over
20 countries took part at the annual Great Ethiopian
Run.Great Ethiopian Run was started in 2001. Since
its inception in 2001, GER has staged over 100 races
in different parts of Ethiopia.