Addis Ababa, 29 September 2014 (ECA) - Dr. Abraham Tekeste, Ethiopian Minister of Finance and Economic Development has called for support from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in strengthening the capacity of key government institutions in their efforts to foster inclusive green economy and national structural transformation.
Speaking on Monday morning at a Validation Meeting for the Study Report on Inclusive Green Economy Policies and Structural Transformation in Ethiopia, held at the United Nations Conference Center, Addis Ababa, Dr. Tekeste said that Ethiopia was one of the first countries in Africa and among the few leading countries in the world to adopt and promote a green economy.
Dr. Tekeste also said that discussions on, and eventual validation of, the Study Report were timely as they happened when the Ethiopian government was preparing its 'next generation Growth and Transformation Plan' (GTP). "The study is therefore important in identifying strengths and weaknesses of the next generation GTP and will enable better alignment of the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy with Ethiopia's structural transformation imperatives.
In her opening remarks, Fatima Denton, Director, Special Initiatives Division, ECA said that the report constituted an important tool to clearly identify and define areas where ECA could and should contribute to supporting Ethiopia on inclusive green economy and structural transformation.
"Adopting an inclusive green economy approach to structural transformation could enable African countries to ensure efficient, equitable and sustainable use of their natural resources and reduce the adverse impacts of economic growth," she added. "There is mounting evidence that green investments can drive economic growth faster than business as usual investments."
The Report on Inclusive Green Economy Policies and Structural Transformation in Ethiopia was prepared within the framework of the ECA study on Inclusive Green Economy Policies and Structural Transformation in selected African Countries. It aims to enhance understanding and promote the adoption of inclusive green economy policies that will contribute to achieving structural transformation goals in Africa.
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