Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed defended Ethiopia's "whole-of-nation" approach to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food chains at the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4).
Addis Ababa.- Ahmed, opening the summit, explained that this strategy unites the government, the private sector, partners, and universities to achieve food self-sufficiency through transformative initiatives such as the Basket Reward, launched in 2022 by the head of government to improve high-value livestock.
He mentioned key programs, including boosting wheat production, the Sekota Declaration, which seeks to reduce child malnutrition by 2030, and the Green Legacy Initiative, through which more than 40 billion trees have been planted since 2019 to create green jobs and strengthen food security.
Similarly, Ethiopia is promoting reforms in land tenure, coffee productivity, and diversified agri-food systems, while integrating digital technologies for logistics and value chains, he added.
Other actions that strengthen resilience include investments in veterinary services, national dietary guidelines, solar irrigation, cold storage, and rural electrification.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister emphasized Africa’s vast potential to feed itself, calling for climate-smart and affordable technologies, fair trade rules, and increased access to infrastructure financing that empower local solutions.
The discussions will assess global progress in transforming food systems and create a cohesive strategy to achieve sustainability, equity, and resilience. (PL)
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UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4)
Plenary: High-Level Opening "Harnessing a changing world for the future of sustainable food systems"
28 July, 2025#UNFSS2025 pic.twitter.com/u3zxYjwfsa
