Launch of the Ten-Year National Forest Sector Development Program

Keynote Address

Louise Chamberlain, UNDP Country Director

8 October 2018

H. E Dr. Gemedo Dalle Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,

H.E. Ato Kebede Yimam, State Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,  

H.E. Dr. Kaba Urgessa, State Minister of Agriculture and Livestock

Excellencies Ambassadors,

Representatives from the public, private and non-Governmental organizations,

Colleagues from the UN,

Distinguished Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

All protocols observed

I am honored to join you today for the launch of the “Ethiopia’s Ten-year National Forest Sector Development Program  

Environment and climate change comprise the largest portfolio UNDP has had the privilege of supporting Ethiopia to develop its national Climate Resilient Green Economy.  Our environment and climate change engagement is actually UNDP’s largest portfolio in Ethiopia, complementing our support in the areas of governance and inclusive economic growth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our engagement to support the forest sector in partnership with the Governments of Norway and Sweden is built on the recognition given for the forest sector development in the CRGE as a critical component that can play a significant role in greening Ethiopia’s economy.

Ethiopia has clearly recognized the link between environmental concerns and sustainable economic development. The country is bearing the costs of the protracted drought and other climate related disasters that have unfortunately become all too common.

Sustained investments in conservation, rehabilitation of degraded land, scientific approach to re-afforestation and strategic management and use of forest resources can help promote stronger and more sustainable development for Ethiopia.

Let me note here that while Ethiopia places great stock on promoting the efficiency of its agriculture sector but this cannot be done without investing in the forest sector. Forests and woodland resources are essential to promote soil conservation and fertility, fodder for livestock and protect water resources for irrigation, hydro power generation and for municipal use.

Moreover, at UNDP we clearly recognize the key role that fostering sustainable forest management can play in stimulating economic development and reducing poverty especially for rural communities living at the forestry frontier.

Distinguished Participants,

The Sustainable Development Goals, the global commitment to transform our planet is also another strong advocate for developing the forest sector, especially given its catalytical role in promoting carbon neutral and inclusive development for the country. As the SDG clearly articulate, these commitments are good for the planet, the people and prosperity.

We are proud of what Ethiopia has achieved in terms of meeting the MDGs but the SDGs offer us an opportunity as well as a challenge. In the past few weeks, the UN General Assembly has been meeting in New York and leaders are warning that while the world is making progress, it is slow progress and there is a risk that we may not meet the goals by 2030.

Here in Ethiopia we need to make sure that we build on the MDGs, and through our collective work and the leadership of the government, that progress is not slow.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me take this opportunity to highlight that UNDP will continue to scale up its support and partnership with the government of Ethiopia to help the country meet its transformative agenda.

Our support for the establishment of a Forest Sector Transformation Unit within the ministry is in line with this commitment to scale up our engagement in the coming years.

The unit is currently staffed with a team of nine highly qualified professionals who will help the ministry address the capacity and bottleneck challenges of the sector, develop new innovative and bankable business models, and promote public private partnership in the forest sector.

As UNDP, we are aware that the NFSDP implementation can only succeed if we work together and synergize our development interventions in ways that generates maximum positive returns on the economy and the environment and secure social benefits for all Ethiopians. In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the government of Norway and Sweden who currently are the major funders in forestry and REDD+.

I thank you for your attention. Ameseginalew