Ethiopia’s “Long-Term Low Emission and Climate Resilient Strategy” (LT-LEDS) officially launched

Ethiopia’s “Long-Term Low Emission and Climate Resilient Strategy” (LT-LEDS) was officially launched earlier today at the Friendship Square. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, high-level government officials and stakeholders attended the event.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, in his inaugural remarks stated the fact that climate change continues to drastically affect the livelihoods of people by inducing drought and ecological imbalance, among others. Ethiopia’s projects such as the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) and capitalising on renewable energy sources, which Ethiopia is endowed with, are part and parcel of the climate agenda, Mr. Demeke added. He said, through the GLI Ethiopia is conducting “Green Diplomacy” in East Africa and wants to further expand the engagement at continental level.

In her remarks, H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa, Minister of Planning and Development and a co-organizer of the event along with Ministry of Finance, said Ethiopia and other developing countries are bearing the brunt of climate change induced phenomena such as drought despite minimal contributions. The LT-LEDS needs the concerted efforts of stakeholders for its implementation and success and that developed countries and international partners should continue providing financial and technical support to this initiative, the minister noted.

Excellencies Ministers Dr. Fitsum Assefa (Planning and Development) and Ahmed Shide (Finance) also presided on a panel discussion on the significance of the strategy beyond mitigating the risks of climate change and its adverse effects on livelihoods of our people.

The historic launching ceremony was attended by Ministers, Ambassadors and representatives of international entities that supported the formulation of this pivotal national framework that aims to bridge Ethiopia’s sustainable development, net zero carbon growth and climate resilience objectives.

The long-term planning horizon of the LT-LEDS provides an opportunity to consider interactions, synergies and trade-offs between different sectoral climate goals and national development priorities. It also provides a roadmap for long-term decarburization and climate resilient development for Ethiopia.