Foreign Minister Park Jin met with the Ethiopian PM in Addis Ababa as he seeks support for South Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said.
During his luncheon meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Jin stressed that Ethiopia serves as a crucial gateway for South Korea’s diplomacy with Africa as a host of the African Union and called for efforts to further advance their relations into a “strategic partnership.”
Jin also mentioned that he had chosen Ethiopia as the first destination in his African tour as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Abiy shared Jin’s views on elevating bilateral ties and stressed cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, mining, industrial technology, health and trade, the Ministry said.
(YONHAP NEWS AGENCY)
Ethiopian recognizes top performing travel agencies
Ethiopian Airlines Group recently honored top-performing travel agencies at an event held at Skylight Hotel. The airline recognized the significant contribution of travel agencies to the development of travel, tourism, and socio-economic activities.
The Airlines awarded the top three agencies in eight categories, including overall top performer, top market share performer, newly emerging agencies, industry pioneers, top tour package seller, best booking quality performer, top corporate seller, and best online check-in contributor.
The Airlines CEO expressed gratitude and appreciation for the agencies’ remarkable role in the growth of travel and tourism in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Airlines values its strong partnerships with travel agencies and aims to collaborate seamlessly to provide convenient and exceptional customer services. The proximity to Bole International Airport and access to a skilled workforce provide enticing opportunities for agencies to expand their horizons and thrive in the international arena.
Ethiopian Airlines is committed to working harmoniously with industry stakeholders, including travel agents, to ensure smooth and enjoyable travel experiences for customers.
(BTN)
SHiFT formalizes collaboration with partners in Ethiopia
A groundbreaking partnership has been forged in Ethiopia to revolutionize food systems and promote sustainable and healthy diets.
The CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation (SHiFT) has formalized its commitment to strengthen the implementation of food systems transformation for sustainable and healthy diets in Ethiopia.
SHiFT, along with partners including the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and cooperation.
The MoU signifies the role of SHiFT’s strategic partners, including MoA, MoH, and EPHI, in advising and ensuring the relevance of SHiFT’s activities to national food system transformation policies.
The collaboration between SHiFT researchers and stakeholders aims to promote innovation and scaling of sustainable and healthy diets in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s active participation in the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) dialogues led to the development of the Ethiopian Food Systems National Roadmap and the prioritization of game-changing solutions.
SHiFT builds on CGIAR’s extensive experience in agricultural research and its focus on food systems and nutrition.
(CGIAR)
Israel evacuates citizens from conflict zones in Ethiopia
Israel successfully extracted around 200 citizens and local Jews from conflict zones in Ethiopia on Thursday, according to announcements from the Foreign Ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister.
The rescue operation involved the evacuation of 174 Israelis and Ethiopians eligible for immigration from the city of Gondar in the Amhara region, as well as 30 Israelis from Bahir Dar, the capital city of Amhara.
The evacuees were transported to Addis Ababa, where those immigrating to Israel will continue their journey.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude for the successful and swift operation, assuring a warm welcome to the new immigrants.
The operation followed earlier calls by the Foreign Ministry for Israelis in Amhara to remain in secure locations and maintain contact with the Israeli embassy in Addis Ababa due to the ongoing violence in the region.
The United States, the United Kingdom and other countries have advised their citizens not to travel to the Amhara region.
(Times of Israel)
El Niño response requires Sh13 bln
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has stated that Sh12.7 billion (USD 89 million) is needed for emergency response in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, to address the anticipated impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.
FAO predicts a greater than 90 percent chance of El Niño occurring through 2023 and into 2024, bringing extreme weather such as droughts, floods, and storms.
FAO’s plan aims to provide immediate support to at-risk populations, focusing on agriculture, livelihoods, and food security.
The last El Niño event affected over 60 million people, leading to international appeals for USD five billion in humanitarian assistance. FAO emphasizes the significance of early action to protect crops, livestock, and infrastructure, safeguard food supplies, and mitigate wider effects on communities and economies.
The Organization urges international support as only 20 percent of the funds required for food security assistance are currently available.
(The Star)
East Africa accounts for half of Africa’s 34 July terrorist attacks
Africa witnessed a total of 34 terrorist attacks in July, showing a 5.5 percent decrease compared to June, according to Egypt’s Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism. East Africa and the Horn of Africa accounted for 47.1 percent of the attacks.
The attacks resulted in 254 fatalities, 126 injuries, and two kidnappings.
While East Africa and the Horn of Africa had the highest number of attacks, the Sahel region suffered the most casualties. However, West Africa experienced a decline in attacks due to the joint military force formed by local states to combat terrorism.
Nigeria was the sole target of all attacks in West Africa, resulting in 48 deaths, 11 injuries, and two kidnappings. Central Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo, witnessed three attacks attributed to the region’s rich natural resources, which attract terrorist organizations.
Counterterrorism operations in Somalia, Burkina Faso, and Mali led to the elimination of 648 terrorists and the arrest of 307 others, with 28 surrendering.
The Al-Azhar Observatory emphasized the need for comprehensive security strategies, including economic stability, to combat terrorism effectively and address vulnerabilities that terrorist groups exploit.
(Ahramonline)
EABC, Afrexim partner to foster intra-African trade
The East African Business Council (EABC) and Afreximbank have forged a strategic partnership to enhance Intra-African trade and regional economic integration in East Africa.
The partnership intends to maximize opportunities among member countries by raising awareness about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocols, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), youth, and women in business.
During a sensitization workshop for SMEs, EABC’s Executive Director and CEO, John Bosco Kalisa, highlighted the resilience of the East African bloc amidst challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The workshop focused on trade facilitation procedures and strategies to effectively access markets under the AfCFTA.
The partnership between EABC and Afreximbank will prioritize activities that strengthen the private sector’s capacity, enhance trade facilitation, and unlock new opportunities for businesses across East Africa.
Okot Okeello Richard, assistant commissioner at the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives Uganda, highlighted the importance of addressing trade costs and logistics within the EAC to expedite trade processes and prioritize low-volume, high-value products.
(Tanzania Daily News)
Rwanda looks to quadruple healthcare workforce
The Ministry of Health in Rwanda plans to expand the healthcare workforce by fourfold within the next four years to address the shortage of nurses and midwives.
Currently, only one skilled professional serves every 1,000 people, while the ideal ratio should be five professionals per 1,000 people. Strategies are being developed to increase the number of students graduating in medicine, nursing, and midwifery courses from 2,000 to 8,000 annually.
The Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union (RNMU) stressed the need for incentives to retain professionals in the healthcare sector as many are migrating due to poor salaries and working conditions. Currently, nurses’ salaries range from Rwf120,000 to Rwf200,000, and over 70 percent work more than 60 hours per week.
The tuition fee for nursing in the University of Rwanda costs between Rwf12 million and Rwf15 million in four years.
The RNMU aims to empower young nurses and midwives through leadership training and advocacy for favorable policies.
With approximately 15,000 nurses and midwives in the country, efforts to increase the workforce and improve conditions are seen as crucial to attracting more individuals to the profession.
(The New Times)
