Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itafa urged scholars and higher education institutions to intensify their scientific research activities with a view to ensuring Ethiopia’s right for the equitable utilization of Abay River.
The 8th workshop of water, hydro diplomacy and communication forum is underway in Addis Ababa today.
The day long forum was organized by Ministry Water and Energy in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (ASTU)
The forum is underway under the theme “Strong Diplomacy and Communication for Sustainable Water Resources Development.”
The forum, that attracted officials of higher learning institutions, scholars and media practitioners, is expected to discuss on various technical papers prepared on issue of water governance.
In his opening remark, Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itafa said such forum is a big platform to come together to exploit the country’s water resources and reverse distorted information about Ethiopia’s resources.
Despite large size of arable land, many areas in the country are suffering from drought; he indicated stating that “If we have such pool of experts, we have immense opportunity to bring the population out of poverty.”
Although Ethiopia has the full natural right to utilize its trans-boundary rivers for its development, it has been facing obstacles from some riparian countries.
Noting that water diplomacy efforts are underway through the foreign ministry of Ethiopia, higher education institutions and scholars are also highly expected to play their part with their research activities in order to make the ongoing diplomatic endeavors successful.
The experts need to work hard to conduct research and study on water and related issues to tell the truth to the rest of the world and ensure Ethiopia’s right for the equitable utilization of Abay River, the minister added.
ASTU President, Dereje Engida said in spite of the fact that Ethiopia is endowed with water resource, the socio economic benefit from this resource is minimal due to lack of scientific research.
To fill the gap in science and technology, the university has been working to be a center of excellence in technology, he stated.
Building Strategic Communication to tell GERD stories to the world is one of the research papers the participants are discussing at the forum.
During the occasion the first ever water, hydro diplomacy and communication forum bulletin prepared by four universities inaugurated.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency