Day: June 10, 2023

Former President Mulatu Teshome addressed Pan-Africanism, Ethiopia’s Peace Agreement and climate change issues in the panel discussion held at the sideline of the Astana International Forum.

During the Astana International Forum (AIF 2023), President Mulatu Teshome discussed the importance of promotion of democracy, dialogue, and global cooperation.

Ethiopia has formulated a broad range of national initiatives to combat climate change and address its impacts and launched the Green Legacy Initiative.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the Green Legacy Initiative in June 2019 with a target of planting 20 billion seedlings.

Over the last four years, 25 billion seedlings, including fruit trees and cattle feeds, have been planted as part of the national Green Legacy Initiative across the nation.

The AIF is a platform for dialogue to address key global challenges. And it was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 8-10/2023 under the theme:Tackling Challenges through Dialogue: Towards Cooperation, Development and Progress.

According to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the event was “unique because it offers a platform for global middle powers to discuss their views and positions on the issues of today and to put forward their own solutions to these issues.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Footwear Industrial Promotion Center with the Busan Economic Promotion Agency (BEPA) announced it will launch footwear production capacity building project in Ethiopia with 10 million US dollar provided by South Korea Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Ethiopian Ambassador to South korea, Dessie Dalkie, attended the footwear production capacity building project kickoff and MOU signing ceremony organized by Busan metropolitan city and BEPA footwear Industrial Promotion Center in Busan, South korea, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He recalled the longstanding historical relationship between Ethiopia and South Korea.

Moreover, he emphasized the significance of this relationship and its potential to be strengthened through economic exchange and political relations.

The project is critical to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of local footwear industries in Ethiopia, the ambassador underlined.

He also stressed comparative advantages in Ethiopia due to its youth work force and inputs, making the country an attractive destination for foreign investment particularly for leather and leather products industry.

Finally, the Ethiopian Embassy in Korea and the BEPA Footwear Industrial Promotion Center signed MOU to strengthen cooperation and friendly relations between the Republic of Korea and Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Namibia’s long-distance runners Alina Armas and Rainhold Tomas won the 10 kilometres (km) run of the women and men categories at the One Economy Foundation #BreakFree Fun Day held here on Saturday.

The fun day was held at the Independence Stadium with the foundation focusing on educating the Namibian youth on mental health and gender-based violence through different sporting activities and motivational speaking.

In the 10km run in the women’s category, Armas overcame Lavinia Haitope to win the gold, while the last podium place went to Beata Jeremia.

To be crowned champion at the maiden edition of the One Economy Foundation #BeFree Fun Day, Armas clocked 35.38 seconds in the 10km run while Haitope was a minute behind with a time of 36.40 seconds. Jeremia ran a time of 38.23 seconds.

In the men’s category, Tomas clocked a time of 31.27 seconds, while Jeremia Shaliaxwe was just seconds behind with a time of 31.40 seconds, and Simon Nakale chased after with a time of 31.45 seconds.

In an interview with Nampa after the race, Armas said she enjoyed the race despite it being done for fun.

“The race was good. The route just had one hill at State House, which was a bit of a challenge to climb,” she said, adding that the early morning run was a challenge as it was too cold for the body to react the way she would have wanted.

Shaliaxwe also told this agency that the early morning run did not help athletes to clock their best times, but he had fun competing in the event.

“I hope in the future this race can be run when the sun is a bit out because it was too cold today and made it difficult for us to run as planned,” Shaliaxwe said.

One Economy Foundation Communications Officer, Ileni Hitula said the #BreakFree fun day is aimed at helping Namibians deal with their emotions.

“This event can be done again, but that will depend on how the public receives this first event. We are donor funded, and the success of this event can then motivate us to look for more funds. We hope that today will be the beginning of a much bigger intervention,” Hitula said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The mass funeral and final send-off of the 16 family members who died of what is suspected to have been poisonous porridge, took place at Kayova Cemetery in the Kavango East Region on Saturday.

The final journey of the deceased whose incident sent shockwaves throughout the entire country, particularly the two Kavango regions, started with a church service at 08h00 at the Shishungho family residence where several tents were erected.

Namibians from all walks of life came out in numbers to attend one of the biggest and symbolic mass funerals the region has ever seen.

It was indeed a sombre moment for the community of Kayova, Ndiyona Constituency, the regions and the entire country.

Officials who could be seen in attendance draped in black attire were, Defence Minister Frans Kapofi, the Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa, President of the Popular Democratic Movement McHenry Venaani, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Faustina Caley.

Other officials in attendance were Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade Verna Sinimbo, Governors of the two Kavango regions Bonifatius Wakudumo and Sirkka Ausiku as well as regional councillors.

After the church service at the Shishungho family residence, mourners departed in a procession to the Kayova Cemetery where the official programme of the burial got underway.

At the mass grave site, the caskets of the bodies were lined up with their names placed on black plaques in front of each casket to differentiate them.

As the caskets were being lowered into the conjoined grave, families of the deceased sobbed uncontrollably.

Delivering the speech on behalf of Government, Kapofi said he was assigned by Cabinet to represent Government in the process of bereavement.

He said Government received the news of 16 people suspected of dying from food poisoning with a heavy heart, adding that the tragic incident could have been from a lack of food.

“As leaders we should learn from this tragic event. We should be on the ground so that when something similar happens, we notify the nearest Government institutions. Government will not hesitate to render assistance in a situation that is dire,” Kapofi said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency