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Newsletter 9 |
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International Community Supports the Democratization Process The international community and development partners of Ethiopia are keen in supporting the nation's endeavor towards building a democratic system. The State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tekeda Alemu, in an exclusive interview with MoFA Newsletter said the international community believes that the election was a leap forward to deepening the democratic system in the country. According to Dr Tekeda, some emotional minority groups among the Ethiopian Diaspora have been engaged in futile attempts to solicit embargo on Ethiopia through withholding development cooperation and aid. Speaking on issues relating to the Horn, Dr. Tekeda said Ethiopia is also committed for the full implementation of the peace agreement and the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) signed between the government of the Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), which has a great impact on Ethiopia and the region in general. Tekeda called upon the international community to play its part in bringing about lasting peace and stability in Somalia, which he said is of great concern to the peace loving people of the world. Dr.Tekeda expressed Ethiopia's willingness to play constructive role for durable peace in Somalia. |
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Ethio - Guinea Cooperation Opens a New Chapter The General Cooperation Agreement which was signed between the governments of Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea opened a new chapter in the bilateral relations of the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia /MoFA/ said the agreement enables the two countries to cooperate on various areas for the common benefit of their peoples. Air transport, agriculture, and education are some of the sectors in which the two countries have expressed interest to work together in the near future. The agreement was signed on 1 November 2005 by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and his Guinean counterpart Mr.Pastor Micha Ondo Bile. On the Occasion Seyoum said the agreement signals a new era in the bilateral relations of the two sisterly countries. |
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African Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to UN, Security Council Reform African leaders have reaffirmed the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration on the reform of UN and the Security Council. The leaders at the conclusion of the 5th Extraordinary Summit here in Addis Ababa have stressed the importance for Africa to remain united in the process of the reform of the United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular. The leaders have also mandated the Follow - up Mechanism to submit the common African position to the General Assembly of the United Nations at the appropriate time, and to seek support for this position. The African Union proposed seven seats in the Security Council altogether of which two and five seats with veto power and rotation respectively. Eight African Prime Ministers, including Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi and five African presidents have attended the summit. |
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Ministry to Scale up Education Sector Development Programmes The Ministry of Education announced that it will further boost the education program in access and coverage. The gains made in attaining equity would be further strengthened it with special attention to the two disadvantaged regions, Somali and Afar. The Mnistry stated that in order to achieve the first MDGs it would be necessary for Ethiopia to raise the level of literacy of its population as a whole. Secondary education shall be made to expand in line with the expected upsurge in primary enrollments and the direction set for the economic development of the country. In line with this, the Ministry planned the total enrollment for the first cycle (grades 9-10) to reach 764,100 while admission to the second cycle secondary and college preparatory will rise to 292,600 by the end of 2010/2011. In the coming five Years , Technical and Vocational Educational Training programs TVET will focus on creating quality and demand- driven system that can produce skilled man power for the implementation of the Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy. To this end, enrollment in TVET programs will increase to 315,403 in 2009/10 from the current 100,000 whereas a total of 3,304 classrooms and workshops will be constructed and additional 4,561 teachers will be recruited and deployed. As to the expansion of tertiary education, the Ministry disclosed that existing eight universities will be expanded to accommodate 8-10 thousand additional students. Besides, thirteen new higher learning institutions, which will ultimately be, up garden to universities, will be established having a capacity of enrolling 9-10 thousand students at the end of the target period. In most of these institutions a third of the students will be enrolled in teacher education programs to produce qualified teachers for secondary schools and TVET institutions. |
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Over 11,000 Students Take Agricultural Apprentice ship The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has deployed 11,500 students to regional states for practical training after graduating from agricultural technical colleges. Public Relations Service with the Ministry told MoFA Newsletter that the students will also give training to farmers on improved agricultural methods in 15,000 centers across the country. The training focuses among others on animal husbandry and natural resource conservation. In line with its commitment to achieve food self-sufficiently the government plans to train 55,000 students in animal and plant science, water and soil conservation and organization of cooperatives. |
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Ministry Prepares Water Sector Development Indicators The Ministry of water Resources Development finalized identification of indicators to systemically follow up and evaluate water harnessing activities in the country. In a news dispatch sent to MoFA Newsletter the Ministry disclosed that it prepared and executed water development works in localities of the Somali, Gambela, Afar and Benishangul - Gumuz regional states. A study on Tana and its environs, Humera and Arjo water projects was carried out to develop 135,350 hectares of land. A survey envisaged to irrigate indicate 100,000 hectares of irrigation land will be carried out in collaboration with the World Bank. |