Addis Ababa Highlights

A Newsletter by UNEP Addis Ababa Liaison Office, a Subsidiary of UNEP Africa

May - June 2013

Awareness Parade in Addis Abeba on World Environment Day celebrated on 5th of June

International

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Ethiopia

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UNEP Workshop Ratification of the Nagoya Protocol Pursuing Partnership to Sustain the Post 2015 Era

Regional

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OAU-AU: Celebrating 50 Years of Regional Integration and Africas Renaissance The 21st AU Summit Outcomes African Peer Review Mechanism celebrates its 10th anniversary and reviews its progress towards sustainable governance. Workshop on the Needs of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change

World Migratory Bird Day 2013: Networking for Migratory Bird UNEP Actively Engages with Environmental Stakeholders in Ethiopia UNEP participates in the United Nations Development Assistance Coordination Mechanism Review in Ethiopia Presentation and Review of the Spanish MDG-F Environment Joint Programme in Ethiopia

Upcoming Events

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Ras B Ras: Art for a Greener Africa UNEP Supports Industrial training and technical back-up support programme 50th Jubilee of the OAU/AU celebrates August under the banner Climate Change and the Environment.

International Pursuing Partnership to Sustain the Post 2015 Era

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Global Stakeholders convened for a High-Level Symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

When they met in Rio one year ago, world

Workshop participants at a field trip to an Aloe Vera harvesting site.

UNEP Workshop
Supporting the Ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing

UNEP Regional Office for Africa (UNEP-ROA) hosted an inception workshop

on the ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The workshop was held from the 7th to 10th of May 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The aim of the workshop was to provide the representatives of countries with the necessary information and assistance required in the ratification process. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) was adopted on the 29th October 2010 at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Conservation and Biodiversity in Nagoya, Japan. The Protocols aim is the implementation of a framework for exchanging access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization. The objectives of the workshop were: To promote awareness and to strengthen communication skills on the obligation of countries under the Nagoya Protocol; To consider issues related to its ratification and implementation; To facilitate exchange of experiences and lessons learned on steps taken and progress made by countries towards the ratification of the Protocol; Developing national roadmaps towards ratification of the Nagoya Protocol. This initiative aims to help countries in fast track ratification by assisting with a rapid capacity needs assessment, stakeholder engagement and monitoring and evaluation process. It included a presentation by Ms. Kamar Yusuf (UNEP/ DELC) on UNEPs implementation and role in a medium -sized project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) The subjects discussed during the workshop were the relations between the Nagoya Protocol and International Law, the introduction of ABS, the challenges of ratification and implementation of treaties and an overview of the features and key obligations under the Nagoya Protocol on ABS. Furthermore, Ethiopia and Rwanda presented their experiences in relation to ABS with the goal of experience sharing. The workshop ended with a group work on strategic communication on ABS and the participants applying the knowledge gained throughout the workshop in developing country roadmaps towards the ratification and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The workshop was concluded with a field trip to an Aloe Vera farm.

leaders, acknowledged the need to accelerate the achievements of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. They resolved to raise the level of commitment by the international community and to move the sustainable development agenda forward through a number of mechanisms including the strengthening of relevant institutions. Held in the wake of the landmark conference, and as the world chartsits development path beyond 2015, the symposium was held inbetween 6-7 June 2013 in Addis Abeba. Co-hosted by the Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs UNDESA Mr. Wu Hongbo and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Ethiopia, Mr. Sufian Ahmed, the discussions concerned the future and the features of a renewed global partnership for a post 2015 era. The symposium was organized in the context of the strengthening of ECOSOC, represented by its President, Mr. Nestor Osorio. It further served as a key preparatory event for the 2014 Development Cooperation Forum, while making immediate contribution to the intergovernmental deliberations on the post 2015 development agenda. Offering a regional perspective in the preparation for a post 2015 development agenda, the Executive Secretary of UNECA, Dr. Carlos Lopes made the statement that global partnerships could work for Africa. He stated that the partnerships underpinninng the MDG framework (MDG8) did not go far enough to address some of the daunting challenges facing the African countries. The symposium brought together high-level officials and experts in development cooperation and development finance from governments, parliaments, multilateral and civil society organizations, the private sector and private philanthropic organizations.

Regional OAU-AU: Celebrating 50Years of Regional Integration and Africas Renaissance

The African Union (AU) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the
founding of the Organization for African Unity (OAU) on 25th of May 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The celebration featured a Special Summit debate on the theme: Pan -Africanism and African Renaissance and a cultural evening in the presence of current and former Heads of State of the African Union as well as former Secretary Generals and former Chairpersons of the AU. The United Nations Secretary General Bank Ki-moon was also among the guests.

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OAU/AU celebrates the 50th Anniversary in the Millennium Hall

The Prime Minister of Ethiopia and current AU chairperson Hailemariam Desalegn opened the cultural celebration at the Millennium Hall the followed speeches by Dr.Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission and African leaders namely Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Idriss Deby of Chad, and Alassane Outtara of Cote d'Ivoire. Testimonies of support to Africa efforts towards its revival were delivered by the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso; President of France, Francois Hollande; the President of Brazil Dilma Vana Rousseff; the Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari; the Prime minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, the flag bearer of African diaspora on this occasion; the US Secretary of State John Kerry; and the Vice Premier of China, Wang Yang. The commemoration of Africas 50 years journey highlighted its fight to end colonialism, oppression and apartheid as well as its efforts to achieve regional integration. At the same time, declarations exuded confidence and optimism in envisioning the next fifty years given the current phase of effective economic growth across the continent that projects Africa as a vibrant frontier market in the global arena and an emerging pole of growth.

The 21st AU Summit Outcomes

The
21st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, which took place from 26-27 May 2013 in Addis Ababa, established a High level Committee of Heads of State and Government on the Post2015 Development Agenda. The Committee is chaired by Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and composed of ten Heads of States and Government in Africa in a balanced representation of the five sub-regions. This Committee is mandated to coordinate the activities of African leaders and members of the High Level Panel, finalize the African Common Position and ensure that the priorities identified in the Common Position are integrated in the New Global Agenda. The High Level Committee is also expected to build regional and inter-continental alliances on the African Common Position on the post 2015 Development Agenda.

Opening ceremony of the 21st AU summit

Land degradation is one of the key priorities that are most likely to form the core of Africas priorities as the Assembly re cognized that desertification, land degradation and drought related issues are or should be at the center of the debate on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. In the same stride, in acknowledging its serious impacts on Africas development, the Assembly also calle d Member States to include land degradation, desertification and drought on the list of priorities for their sustainable development within the framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The 21st Summit also adopted the Declaration of the OAU/AU 50th anniversary, in which the leaders committed to achieve an integrated and prosperous Africa, at peace with itself and with the world, as well as the strategic plan of the African Union Commission (AUC) 2014-2017.

Regional African Peer Review Mechanism celebrates its 10th anniversary and reviews its progress towards sustainable governance.
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) organized a colloquium under
the title Better governance for sustainable growth and development in Africa. The event marking 10th anniversary of its establishment, was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa. APRM is a mutually agreed programme, adopted by the member states of the African Union, to promote and re-enforce high standards of governance. The colloquium was opened by Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum. Setting the context, he stated that there could be no better time to celebrate APRM's 10th anniversary than the occasion of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of the African Unity and African Union. He depicted the APRM is the most ambitious governance exercise ever undertaken in Africa. The importance of good governance for sustainable development was emphasised in the opening statements by other speakers including in Mr Assefa Shifa, CEO of the APRM and Dr Carlos Lopes, Under Secretary General to the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNECA, who stated that APRM is a major governance instrument providing strategic opportunity to create favourable environment for growth and bringing a positive contribution to relations between state and citizens. The various sessions addressed the state of governance in Africa; the role of the APRM; the process of building of effective democratic institutions in Africa; the relations between the state and the market in building African economies; the issue of governance of African enterprises; delivering quality education to spur Africa's development and improving stakeholders engagement in the APRM process.The panellists acknowledged that APRM produced a body of well-documented knowledge on African countries and gave credits to policy reforms undertaken under APRM, such as the establishment of a Ministry for Youth Unemployment in Burkina Faso and the reduction of the number of cabinet ministers in Ghana. The APRM has also the merit of ending compartmentalization and linking development and governance. APRM, however, also faces political, technical and financial challenges and it was suggested that it should engage more with civil society. Overall. APRM was credited to have been a positive force for African governance structure but that there was a need for a continual upgrading and evaluation to ensure continuous progress and relevance of the APRM. The event concluded with a documentary film over the progress and challenges faced in the APRM produced by UNECA.

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Workshop on the Needs of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change

The
African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) organized a workshop on identifying theneeds of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN). The workshop was heldat the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa from the 21st to the 23rd of May 2013. ACPC, part of the UN Economic Commission for Africa(UNECA) and Secretariat of the Climate Information for Development (ClimDev), organized the workshop in collaboration with the other two organizations of the ClimDev initiative namely the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The workshop aimed to provide a forum for the AGN, in preparation of the upcoming UNFCCC COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland. It was also the opportunity for the ClimDev partners to discuss the Negotiators needs for the next three to four years in order to have a more efficient delivery system. Moreover, the meeting sought to identify a Task Force group to undertake critical research on priority needs in the run up to UNFCCC negotiations, including COP 19, and a secondary Task Force to identify capacity development needs in communication and negotiation skills. The discussions emphasized how the host institution, UNECA, and the ACPC could assist the AGN and enhance its image atthe continental level. The workshop also sought to review a report of ClimDevs activities in Doha, Qatar, and chart the way forward on new and emerging climate change concerns for thecontinent. In addition, this forum provided an opportunity for cross-fertilization between leadcoordinators to understand how synergies can be exploited and to appreciate areas of convergence on key technical matters in the negotiation process.

Ethiopia

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Celebration in Addis Ababa including a parade, tree planting and a conference

Celebrating the World Environment Day in Ethiopia

In Addis Ababa, hundreds of persons joined the rest of the global community in commemorating World Environment Day on the
5thJune at a colourful and multifaceted celebration hosted by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and UNEP in collaboration with ABC Trading. The Day was marked by an awareness parade across the central Addis Ababa, from the City council square towards the Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park, led by youth on skateboards and the Federal police marching band. The environmental march brought together volunteers from different environmental associations, members of parliament, representatives of embassies, local road sweepers, NGOs, youth groups, members of the culture sectors including the film association and artist cooperatives, staff of UNEP, EPA and federal ministries in a great show of banners displaying slogans such as Building a Green Economy for Food Security and Ca ring nature for Food Security, selected to mark the event in Ethiopia. Other highlights of the day included a seedling planting event at the Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park where around 100 seedlings of local species were planted, the event also included panel discussions and statements by ministries. In his keynote speech Dr. Berhan Gebre Egziabher, Director General of the EPA emphasized the need to celebrate WED every day as a way to raise awareness on the necessary behavioral change. The head of UNEP Addis Ababa office, Ms. Angele Luh, delivered the message of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon focusing on the global theme Think Eat Save and screened a short video of UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner with the President of Mongolia, host of the global WED celebration. Representatives from the Ministry of Water and Energy and the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction shared their experience and work on the implications of the Ethiopian ClimateResilient Green Economy Strategy in the work of their ministries. The sequence ended with a recital poem read by the famous Ethiopian forest researcher and poet Dechasa Jirru. The event served as a platform for the EPA to award the embassies that distinguished themselves for their special devotion in the field of environment protection in Ethiopia. These included the embassies of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, and the UK.

Ethiopia

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UNEP Actively Engages with Environmental Stakeholders in Ethiopia

Since
its inception, UNEP had a special relationship with civil society in tackling environmental issues and, indeed, recognises the importance of engaging Majors Groups and other Stakeholders as partners. UNEP values tremendously the valuable perspectives Major Groups bring to the table, the important research and advocacy functions they perform, and their role in helping foster long-term, broad-based support for UNEPs mission. As part of the implementation of the outcome of the latest UN Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro last June, UNEP is further strengthening its collaboration with Major Groups. In Ethiopia, UNEP has embarked in a series of meetings with variousMajor Groups that are active in the area of environment and sustainable development not only to get a better understanding of the actors and their work but alsoidentify areas of collaboration based on their specific area of expertise. So far more than 10 major groups, including NGOs, youth groups and businesses, are participating in the dialogue initiated by UNEP to promote environment for sustainable development. If you are a Major Group active in Ethiopia with initiatives and projects related to sustainable development contact nicola.daschio@unep.org for further information. [UNEP identifies in accordance with Agenda 21 the Major Groups: Business and industry, Children and youth, Farmers, Indigenous Peoples and their communities, Local Authorities, NGOs, the scientific and technological community, Women, Workers and Trade Unions. For further information visit http://www.unep.org/civilsociety/ ]

Group Photo of the WMBD Workshop

World Migratory Bird Day 2013

Networking for Migratory Bird

The

Annual World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) that has been celebrated every 2nd weekend in May since 2006, was this year celebrated under the slogan Networking for Migratory Birds. The idea of networking for migratory birds is due to the significant disappearance of natural sites that migratory birds require on their long journeys torest, feed themselves and reproduce. Ethiopia is one of the most important regions in terms of bird species. It is an essential place for migratory bird habitats and thus it is vital that Ethiopia took part in this worldwide celebration. To mark the day in Ethiopia, the national Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS) hosted of a workshop in Addis Ababa followed by a field trip to Lake Ziway, south of Addis Ababa. The workshop focused on a variety of topics that related to different environmental issues and to the ecological importance of migratory birds in Ethiopia. Lake Ziway was chosen not only for its importance as a famous bird watching site near Addis Ababa, but also because of its major environmental problems. One of these issues is related to the greenhouses for horticultural purposes that were constructed in this area. Discussions where held on the cooperation between the local government, the company and other interested parties to attempt a creative solutions to the environmental concerns and bird preservation. The celebration, while following the international theme, also added a local particularity focusing on the links between agricultural practices and bird life. The event was attended by members of the Ministries of agriculture and health, Addis Ababa University, UNEP, Institute for Sustainable Development (Addis Ababa), Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), Pan Ethiopia among others.

Lake Ziway
Lake Ziway is one of Ethiopias freshwater lakes along the Rift Valley. It is well known and appreciated for its biodiversity and famous for a variety of bird species. The lake itself used to be a big reservoir of fresh water and the fishery gave an economic stability to the population living nearby. In recent years, however, the lake has been under constant threat from the surrounding green houses for flower productions that are the biggest in the country and have a negative environmental impact on the surrounding eco-system. The green houses produce huge amounts of flowers meant for export to the Netherlands. For such a production, big inputs of water and fertilizers are needed. According to the guides, the water leaking out of the greenhouses is polluted by high concentration of fertilizers that reaches Lake Ziway. Ethiopian environmentalists are aware of this threat and are trying to find compromises to keep the place alive. Recently, the organization The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoA REC) have embarked in promoting eco-tourism, and planting of special trees that clean up water were planted as a natural barrier between the green houses and the lake.

Ethiopia

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UNEP participates in the United Nations Development Assistance Coordination Mechanism Review in Ethiopia
The
United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) coordination mechanism review was conducted on the 7thMay 2013 at the Intercontinental hotel, Addis Ababa in the presence of UN heads of agencies, including UNEP, and senior Programme officers. The meeting was meant to review the functionality of UNDAF pillars and Technical Working Groups (TWGs); identify ways to improve the TWGs work, coordination and management; and make concrete commitments to improve the work and coordination, moving forward for each TWG/sub-groups. The meeting provided the opportunity to share information on progress made by different pillars so far and on the challenges constraining the smooth delivery of programmes and projects. Accordingly, the pillars on sustainable economic growth & risk reduction; basic social services, governance & capacity development; women youth & children gave an overview of their work, highlighted the opportunities and the challenges. Overall the pillars showed a positive progress but they also pointed to the challenges and specifically identified areas requiring strengthening. Issues that came to light during the group work and the presentation included a need to update the Terms of Reference (TORs) for UNDAF implementation as the existing ToRs mainly concerned the planning phase; and the need for inclusion of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and for reinvigoring the TWG coordination. Finally the participants in the review meeting further recommended the clarification of roles and responsibilities between the UNCT, TWGs and IAPT; and ensuring the information flow at all levels.

Presentation and Review of the Spanish MDG-F Environment Joint Programme in Ethiopia
On the 7th of May 3013, a workshop was held at the Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, to disseminate the results of and the lessons learned throughout the implementation of the Spanish Millennium Development Goal - Fund (MDG -F) Environment Joint Programme (JP) in Ethiopia. The project, launched on 8th of July 2010 has involved pastoral communities in six pilots Weredas (Districts), in four regional states. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency, UNDP, FAO and UNEP were the implementing partners. The core objective of the JP was to enhance the enabling policy environment in order to effectively plan and execute pastoralist related climate-change adaptation and mitigation measures at the federal, regional and district levels. The JP was a pilot Programme to empower the pastoral communities to develop capacity for managing Climate Change (CC) risks and shocks. The JP was officially closed on 31 March 2013 and a final programme Panel on the implementation of the Spanish MDGs- Fund evaluation was conducted. In line with this, a prepared final narrative report, pictorial illustration of joint programme achievements and a video of lessons learned were disseminated to the workshop participants. In his speech, Ato Sileshi Getahun, State Minister of Agriculture, expressed his satisfaction for the achievements of the environment joint programme and promised to scale it up by taking the lessons learned from the programme for further action. The workshop mainly focused on the issues to be improved for future joint programme implementation. Harmonizing the internal process of UN agencies and government ministries, mapping out of all stakeholders at planning phase and strengthening coordination at implementation were some of the major issues raised during discussion. Finally the participants to the workshop emphasized the importance of scaling up the results of the environment joint programme and underscored the need of sustaining the created sense of ownership and the commitment of the Ethiopian government.

Upcoming Events

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30 JUN
2013

Ras B Ras: Art for a Greener Africa

The Earth Friendly Bazaar is part of a series of environmental campaigns in
support of the federal and local government efforts to raise environmental awareness of all Ethiopian citizens and to ensure their active participation in the solutions to environmental degradation.

Ras B Ras is a group of artists who will host the full day Event/ Bazaar/Festival from 10 AM to 10 PM at the venue Ras Shewa Gebbi. The Festival will feature Live music, Live poetry recitals, Live visual artwork, Photography exhibitions, Live choreographed dance performances, Live art installation, Organic fashion show, Environmental and cultural documentary film screenings, Art for children, Ecology conscious vendors, Farmers market, and workshops.

JUL
2013

UNEP Supports Industrial training and technical back-up support programme

The support Programme aims to facilitate industrial compliance to the enforcement of the newly enacted

environmental regulation in Ethiopia through development and implementation of Resource Efficiency programmes. This is to be implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Industry, Leather and Leather Products Technology Institute (LLPTI) and the Ethiopian Society of Chemical Engineers (ESChE). The first training workshop is planned to be held during the third week of July with a focus on selected leather industries as proposed by the national partners.

AUG
2013

50th Jubilee of the OAU/AU celebrates August under the banner Climate Change and the Environment.
On the occasion of the 50th year AU Anniversary celebrations, AUC has chosen Environment and Climate
Change as theme of the month. Youth Environment Care Voluntary and Hoora communication, in partnership with the African Union Commission and UNEP are organizing a one day event with the aim of promoting

Environmental matters The event will consist of a Green African Fashion Show, and traditional Coffee Ceremony, variousEntertainments and presentations about environmental conditions in Ethiopia and Africa. During the event, a magazine promoting the Youth Group and the environmental conditions of Ethiopia will be distributed.Further a event is planed Planting 2 million trees as part of the Great Green Wall- Sahara and Sahel and a celebration of the 10th year of CAADP