ETHIOPIA TODAY

Newsletter of the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Canada

Vol. III No.8 November 2016

The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Ottawa is located at

1501 - 2 75 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1P 5H9. Tel: 613 565 6637 Fax: 613 565 9175

e-mail: info@ethioembassycanada.org , Website: www.ethioembassycanada.org 1

Foreign Minister Dion Visits Ethiopia

Canada's Foreign Minister, Stéphane Dion, visited

Ethiopia from November 11 to 13,2016 as part of

a seven-day visit to three African countries:

Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, he met

with Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn,

Foreign Minister Dr. Workeneh Gebeyehu and

other senior officials for discussions covering the

enhancement of bilateral relations and

cooperation, regional peace and stability,

humanitarian assistance, immigration and the

current situation of Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Hailemariam assured Foreign

Minister Dion of Ethiopia's full determination to

strengthen its partnership with Canada in the areas

of peace, security, and the fight against terrorism

as well as in trade, investment and other areas.

The Prime Minister also underlined that his

government remained committed to provide the

necessary support for Canadian investors in

Ethiopia.He briefed the Foreign Minister on the

way his government was handling the current

situation of the country and the State of

Emergency, through the principles of the rule of

law and with extreme care. He emphasized that

democracy, development, peace and stability were

the alpha and omega of Ethiopia's vital national

interests.

Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu met

with Mr. Dion on November 11,2016. The two

ministers agreed to cooperate on technology

transfer, infrastructural development, and creation

of employment opportunities for the youth as well

as ensure regional peace and security. Mr. Dion

further pledged to encourage Canadian investors

to put in their finance in Ethiopia and do business

with. Dr.Workneh noted that the strategic

friendship and cooperation that has existed

between Ethiopia and Canada for over half a

century has been based on a firm foundation of

mutual understanding, win-win formulation and

genuine respect. He underscored Ethiopia's

determination to make every possible effort to

ensure the success of the Ethiopia-Canada

partnership. Foreign Minister Dion again praised

Ethiopia's role in peacekeeping operations within

the region as well as in the continent. He

welcomed the recent Ethiopian cabinet reshuffle

which he said signaled the firm position the

government was taking to satisfy public demands

and assure sustainable development, good

governance and democracy.

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Ethiopia and Canada's official diplomatic relations

trace their establishment back to 1965 when they

established diplomatic representations in each

other's territory. Last year they held a series of

events to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic

relationship and friendship. These included a

Business Forum which brought a trade mission to

Ethiopia in February 2015. Another Ethio-

Canadian Business Forum, jointly organized by

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ethiopian

Embassy in Canada and the Canadian Embassy in

Addis Ababa, took place at the Intercontinental

Addis Hotel in Addis Ababa in June/2016,

providing the opportunity for further networking

of Ethiopian and Canadian business

representatives and investors. Ambassador Baker,

Canadian Ambassador to Ethiopia, said this

underscored the growing relationship between

Ethiopia and Canada, through a growing

partnership and co-operation on development,

trade and investment. The Ambassador reiterated

the importance of the role of trade and commerce

in boosting relations between the two countries

and emphasized the way trade could be an

important agent of change in empowering people.

He noted that Ethiopia was one of the largest

recipients of Canada's global development

assistance in various fields.

Ethio-Morocco Ties Move to a New

Level of Practical Cooperation

The longstanding friendship and cooperative

relationship between Ethiopia and Morocco is

moving to new levels of practical cooperation,

from the political to the economic sphere of

partnership, with the two day state visit of King

Mohammed VI of Morocco to Addis Ababa on

November 19 and 20,2016. The talks between

King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister

Hailemariam Dessalegn underlined the interest of

both countries to move into the realm of practical

economic cooperation, making development and

mutual interest the core element of bilateral

relations. The practical application of the new

cooperative partnership between the two countries

was exemplified by the signing of a framework

agreement between the government of Ethiopia

and Morocco's Office Cherifien des Phosphates to

partner in a joint venture to build a $3.7 billion

fertilizer plant. The complex, which will be OCP's

biggest investment outside Morocco, will be in

Dire Dawa. OCP's Chief Executive Officer,

Mostafa Terrab, said the aim would be to reduce

Ethiopia's dependence upon fertilizer imports. By

2022, Ethiopia would be able to produce 80% of

its fetilizer needs through this plant and be self-

sufficient by 2025.

The bilateral talks emphasized that both sides

were ready to carry forward bilateral ties and

deepen existing bonds of friendship. King

Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Hailemariam

Dessalegn discussed various issues of common

interest. They agreed to elevate links to a new

high and expedite cooperation in a comprehensive

manner. The two sides agreed on the need to

break new ground and tap into a new level of

cooperation within the framework of the Joint

Ministerial Commission. They called upon the

respective business communities to exploit the

potential of business and investment

opportunities.

Prime Minister Hailemariam applauded Morocco's

unremitting commitment for Africa's peace,

stability and development. He reiterated Ethiopia's

devotion to the realization of the values and

principles of the African Union. The Prime

Minister noted that it was in this regard that

Ethiopia commended the recent decision of

Morocco to rejoin the African Union as early as

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the next AU Summit. King Mohammed VI, who

expressed appreciation of the role played by

Ethiopia in the Intergovernmental Authority on

Development, (IGAD) described Ethiopia as an

advocate and promoter of peace, stability and

integration in Africa. He congratulated Prime

Minister Hailemariam on Ethiopia's election as a

non permanent member of the UN Security

Council and hailed Ethiopia's commitment to

promote Africa's interests.

The two leaders also exchanged views on issues

of peace and security in the region. They agreed

on the necessity to remain committed to the fight

against terrorism in all its forms and

manifestations as well as to work together against

transnational crimes. They also agreed to

strengthen international and regional coordination

and cooperation in support of peace and stability,

prevent armed conflicts, combat terrorism, and

promote a culture of tolerance and peaceful

coexistence. They also shared a commitment to

support efforts to combat the threat of climate

change in addition to working together to promote

sustainable development.

King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister

Hailemariam attended the signing ceremony for

cooperation agreements covering a number of

areas including a convention for the avoidance of

double taxation and the prevention of fiscal

evasion with respect to taxes on income;

agriculture; air services; and reciprocal promotion

and protection of investments. The two countries

also signed Memorandum of Understanding

committing both sides to work together in

economic, scientific, technical and cultural

cooperation; renewable energy development;

water management and irrigation, and hotel and

tourism training.

Vice-President of China Mr. Li

Yuanchao Visits Ethiopia

H.E.President Mulatu Teshome and Vice President of China

H.E. Mr. Li Yuanchao

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn who

welcomed the Vice-President of the People's

Republic of China Mr. Li Yuanchao on

November 17, who was on an official visit to

Addis Abeba underlined that the ten cooperation

plans proposed by President Xi Jinping during the

last FOCAC Johannesburg Summit confirms

Ethiopia's Second Growth and Transformation

Plan with a view to transform the country's

economy.

Enhancing the production capacity complements

Ethiopia's efforts to create more jobs to the youth

and place Ethiopia's economy on industrial value

chain, he said. In this regard, Ethiopia seeks

China's support to encourage its enterprises to

invest in the country's industrial parks

development projects, agriculture and

infrastructure. Prime Minister Hailemariam

applauded China's support in the area of human

resource development. He also affirmed that

Ethiopia commits to work together with China on

the reform of the Security Council, adding that

Ethiopia is keen to collaborate on international

issues of common interest.

Mr. Li Yuanchao reiterated that the China-Africa

Forum held last year laid a solid foundation for

further growth of cooperation, adding that China

views Ethiopia as a key partner in Africa.

Expressing the commonalities shared by the two

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peoples and countries, the Vice-President drew

attention to the need for the rejuvenation of the

two nations grounded on political mutual trust,

mutual learning, mutual beneficial cooperation,

and collaboration at multilateral levels.

President Mulatu meeting with the Vice President

at the National Palace noted that the visit was a

reflection of the excellent and historic relations of

the two countries. The President who said that

Ethiopia attaches great importance to its relations

with China noted that mutual cooperation and

understanding defined the ties of the two peoples

and governments. The Vice President on his part

said that the comprehensive strategic partnership

is moving on a fast lane of development ranging

from the frequent high-level visits and cultural

exchanges, stating that Ethio-Chinese ties set as

an exemplary model in Africa.

President Mulatu appreciated efforts of the

government of China in supporting Ethiopia’s

flagship projects such as the Ethio-Djibouti

railway line and development of industrial parks,

calling for further assistance.

Saying that China is a strategic partnership to

Ethiopia, the President added that the relations

between the two countries serve as a model for

China-Africa relations.

The Chinese Vice President for his part said that

his country is committed to support the

development endeavors of Ethiopia, saying China

understands Ethiopia’s ambition for development.

Vice President Yuanchao assured the president

that his country will continue to share its rich

experiences to Ethiopia in human resources

development, technology transfer and job

creation.

Business and Economy

Ethio-Morroco Business Forum Takes Place in Addis Ababa

On the occasion of the vsit of King Mohammed

VI of Morrocco, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Business Diplomacy Directorate-General hosted

an Ethio-Morocco business forum at Hilton Addis

on November 18/2016, to lay a foundation for

their joint trade and investment relations.

The occasion brought together more than 40

investors and representatives of businesses from

both countries. Ethiopia's former State Minister

for Foreign Affairs, Regassa Keffale in his

opening remarks said the Forum provided an

important platform where the two countries could

strengthen their bilateral ties. With the recent

opening of Ethiopian mission to Morocco, he said

relations between Ethiopia and Morocco were

gathering momentum, adding that Ethiopia was

ready to receive Moroccan investors. He said

Ethiopia offered significant opportunities to

Moroccan investors, not least as a gateway to the

markets of Eastern Africa. The head of the

Moroccan business delegation, Ms. Miriem

Bensalah-Chaqroun, declared that the Forum

provided the opening for a new economic

relationship, stressing "the need to strengthen our

Economic ties". She said the two countries shared

common grounds of economic growth, more

investment and local jobs. She also noted that

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non-tariff regimes, and structural and institutional

problems related to economic connectivity were

areas on which the two sides could work.

Investment Commissioner Fitsum Arega in his

presentation on Ethiopia's conducive business

environment noted that Ethiopia had a clear

vision, strategy and policy, promoting specific

sectors. It had a fast growing economy, a huge

consumer market, an untapped natural resource, a

trainable and affordable labor force, and ample

infrastructure to ease connectivity in trade.

Moreover, he said, it offered duty-free market

access through agreements to the US, Europe and

East and Southern Africa. It also provided

attractive incentives including tariff-free import

and tax holidays. He invited Moroccan investors

to build their own industrial park. Mr. Solomon

Tadesse from the Ethiopian Tourism Organization

also briefed the delegation on Ethiopia's tourist

attractions, which he noted included a number of

UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He called on

Moroccan business delegates to demonstrate their

rich experience in tourism development in

Ethiopia.

The 6th International Conference on

Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Held in

Addis Ababa

The 6th International Conference on Pulses,

Oilseeds and Spices kicked off in Addis Ababa on

November 17, 2016 under the theme: "Agri-

commodity marketing for sustainable global

trade." Co-organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of

Trade and Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices

Producers and Exporters Association

(EPOSPEA) the two day conference aims to

strengthen and expand existing and new market

linkages and outlets to diverse product varieties of

the sector through consolidating the foundation

that has been already laid-down; with the view to

nurturing a common concern of those major

policy makers, international buyers, potential

investors, research institutes, development

partners and other actors in the value chain who

have been engaged in tapping its full potentials.

Opening the conference, State Minister of the

Ethiopian Ministry of Trade, Assad Zayed

underlined that the basic rationale behind

organizing such a global event was to enhance the

comparative advantage of the sector by creating

conducive platform for key industry players,

whereby positive results have been in store with

regard to enhancing the county's image abroad

and further boosting the sector's export market

linkages. The Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices sector

in Ethiopia is one of potentially endowed sector

with abundant resources in relative terms with

other diverse components of agricultural sector,

coupled with the potential to contribute

immensely to the country's overall development.

Last Fiscal year, the Minister added, Ethiopia has

earned 722.4 million USD from export of pulses,

oilseeds and spices.

The state Minister said that Ethiopia is paying

utmost priority to enhancing production and

productivity, exporting value-added items,

widening and diversifying market destinations

during the country's Growth and Transformation

plan period. He further said the progress made in

the sub-sector and the market modernization at the

Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) on online

trading and implementation of traceability has

become a benchmark for many African countries.

President of the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and

Spices Producers Exporters Association

(EPOSPEA), Haile Berhe underscored that the

event was instrumental in the sense that it would

create enabling platforms for both existing and

new clients to expand market and business

linkages and thereby offer further opportunities to

address the current challenges evident in the

sector. He said, ''The market opportunity that both

our exporters and importers will have at the end of

the deliberations through business-to-business

linkages and networking is the central milestone

this conference intends to achieve.''

The 6th International Conference on Pulses,

Oilseeds and Spices brought together international

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importers drawn from 20 countries,

representatives of public enterprises and the

private sector, under which stakeholders are

expected to use the platform to network with

peers, learn about the newest market trends,

discuss the challenges and opportunities in the

local and global market, and learn new ways of

increasing quality, productivity and marketability.

Ethio-German Business Round Table

Held in Addis Ababa An Ethio-German Business Roundtable was held

on November 14, 2016 at Hilton Addis, with a

twenty-person delegation from Germany and the

State of Bavaria being briefed on investment and

business opportunities in Ethiopia. The former

State Minister for Business and Diaspora Affairs

of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia,

Regasa Kefale, emphasized the longstanding

relations of the two countries, pointing out that

Ethiopia and Germany have enjoyed excellent

diplomatic relations over more than a century. He

expressed Ethiopia's appreciation for the

meaningful support extended by the German

Government in the past half a century, support

which included one billion Euros under technical

and financial cooperation in education, food

security and agriculture. Mr. Regasa pointed out

that Ethio-German trade exchange has witnessed a

continuous growth in volume, last year reaching

half a billion US dollars. Equally, he emphasized

the "need to further increase and diversify trade

opportunities" between the businesses and

governments of the two countries.

The head of the Bavarian delegation, Mr. Ulrich

Konstantin Rieger, Deputy Head of the

Department for Internalization in the Bavarian

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy

and Technology, also emphasized that the

longstanding historic relationship between the two

countries should be further strengthened in the

fields of business and trade ties. The delegation,

which included Bavarian state officials, business

company leaders from the energy, construction

and manufacturing sectors as well as a number of

academic professors, would help enhance the

already strong economic relations that existed

between the two countries, he added.

Mr. Fitsum Arega, the Commissioner of Ethiopian

Investment Commission briefed the roundtable on

investment opportunities in Ethiopia, particularly

the manufacturing, agro- processing, energy and

pharmaceutical sectors. The Commissioner

stressed the favorable investment conditions

ranging from Ethiopia's fast growing economy,

which he pointed out was attracting massive FDI,

up to the well-oriented investment policy of the

government. He said Bavarian state companies

which were engaged in the manufacturing, energy

and construction sectors would be successful in

Ethiopia's conducive investment environment.

The Bavarian state delegation was also meeting

with government officials from the Ministries of

Education, Health, and Science and Technology

as well as other senior officials during its visit.

Tourism and Culture

‘Gadaa' Joins UNESCO's List of

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The ‘Gadaa' system, the indigenous democratic

socio-political system of the Oromo people has been

inscribed on the United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Representative List of the Intangible Cultural

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Heritage of Humanity. ‘Gadaa' was accepted and

inscribed at the 11th Session of UNESCO's

Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding

of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Addis

Ababa from November 28 to December 2/2016.

‘Gadaa' is the traditional system of governance of the

Oromo people in Ethiopia, regulating the political,

economic, social and religious activities of the

community dealing with a wide variety of issues

including conflict resolution, reparation and the

protection of women's rights in addition to serving as

a mechanism for enforcing moral conduct, building

social cohesion, and expressing the cultural norms of

the community. Its inscription on UNESCO's List of

the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will

underline and promote the visibility and significance

of this traditional system of governance, developed

from their experience and knowledge and practiced

by the Oromo people of Ethiopia.

Representatives of the 24 State Parties to UNESCO's

2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the

Intangible Cultural Heritage attended the 11th

Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, chaired

by Yonas Desta Tsegaye, Director General of

Ethiopia's Authority for Research and Conservation

of Cultural Heritage. UNESCO defines intangible

cultural heritage as "traditions or living expressions

inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our

descendants," including oral traditions, rituals and

skills to produce traditional crafts. During its session,

the Committee examined five nominations for

inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 37 requests for

inscription on the Representative List of the

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The

Committee inscribed elements from Portugal, Uganda

and Ukraine on the List of Intangible Cultural

Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Also

examined were issues concerning intangible heritage

in emergency situations caused by conflict or natural

disaster. The Committee reviewed seven programs

proposed for inclusion on the Register of Best

Safeguarding Practices. It also considered the

creation of a monitoring instrument to measure the

Convention's impact and progress achieved.

UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible

Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which currently

numbers 336 inscribed elements, aims to enhance the

visibility of the traditions of different communities

and their knowledge "without recognizing standards

of excellence or exclusivity." In addition to

enhancing respect for the Oromo people's traditional

democratic socio-political system, placement of the

‘Gadaa' system on the Representative List of the

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity lends fresh

impetus for its preservation and promotion by the

Oromo people in the future, underlining its

importance as a marker of the community's identity

as well as a repository of knowledge and experience.

It will also encourage the ‘Gadaa' to contribute its

share to the positive development and transformation

of Ethiopia's political, economic and social practice,

meaning and experience.

Ahead of the opening of the 11th Session, Ethiopia

introduced the Intergovernmental Committee to

cultural performances showcasing the rich and unique

traditions and cultural heritage of the country. Over

300 artists and performers took part in a display of

the country's intangible cultural heritage. On the

occasion, President Dr. Mulatu Teshome underlined

Ethiopia's status as Africa's oldest independent

country, pointing out that "more than 80 nations with

distinct cultural traditions and values live here and

speak more than 80 different languages." He said

Ethiopia had been a member of UNESCO since 1955

and had always collaborated closely with it, adding:

"We take heritage as our legacy from the past and we

pass it on to the next generation. The Ethiopian

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government is committed to preserve it and safeguard

it and UNESCO has been a longstanding partner in

this endeavor." Ethiopia's Culture and Tourism

Minister, Dr. Hirut Weldemariam, described Ethiopia

as "a land of biodiversity and a mosaic of multiple

ethno-linguistic groups making room for various

religions in a state of peace and harmony."

UNESCO's Deputy Director-General Getachew

Engida described the "tremendous advances,"

achieved since the Convention for the Safeguarding

of the Intangible Cultural Heritage entered into force

offering a picture of "peace, diversity and inclusion."

The Deputy Director-General noted that UNESCO

attaches great importance to strengthening human and

institutional capacities at the country level through

the capacity-building strategy adopted by the

Committee. This had been implemented in more than

70 countries to support member states. UNESCO, he

said, valued the importance of support "to ensure that

sufficient attention is paid to intangible cultural

heritage in national development plans." The

Chairperson of UNESCO's Executive Board, Michael

Worbs, who noted the Committee was meeting in

Africa for the fourth time since its creation in 2006,

said this was indicative of "the central importance

that intangible cultural heritage has for Africa as a

whole," and underlined the priority of Africa in

UNESCO's activities.

Great Ethiopian Run 2016 Takes Place in

Addis

A sea of 42,000 people in green and yellow who

flooded the main streets of Addis on November

21/2016, in the 10km annual Great Ethiopian Run

affirm Ethiopians' commitment for peace and

togetherness. The warm and colorful sport event that

kicked off at 8.30 a.m. saw the participation of the

legendary Ethiopian middle and long-distance runner

Haile Gebrselassie who bade farewell to competitive

running, making his decision official before his

fellow countrymen. Haile Gebrselassie ran barefoot

in remembrance of the Ethiopian athlete Abebe

Bikila who broke a marathon record by a wide

margin after running without shoes in Rome in

September 1960. The founder of the Great Ethiopian

Run, Haile Gebreselassie, broke a total of 27 records

in 1000m, 5000m, in half-marathons and in

marathons.

The 16th edition of the 2016 TOTAL Great Ethiopian

Run 10km International held in Addis Ababa under

the theme “Live to Tell.”This year’s annual event

attracted 42,000 participants, including 500 elite and

two Kenyan athletes.Abe Gashahun from Amhara

Prison Administration, Jorum Lumbasi from Kenya

and Adugna Takele from Oromia Police finished

first, second and third respectively in the men’s 10

km race.In the women’s event, Foten Tesfaye from

Mesebo Cement Sport Club, Mulye Dekebo from

Oromia Police, Tadelech Bedaso from Oromia Prison

Administration finished first, second and third,

respectively.Abe Gashahun and Foten Tesfaye

received a 50,000 birr prize each.

More than 250 foreign nationals who came from over

20 countries took part at the annual Great Ethiopian

Run.Great Ethiopian Run was started in 2001. Since

its inception in 2001, GER has staged over 100 races

in different parts of Ethiopia.