The Second UN Climate Week Kicks Off in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia Signs $2.5 Billion Fertilizer Complex Agreement to Boost Food Security
Exhibition Showcasing Lucy and Selam Opens in Prague
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
The 2nd UNFCCC Climate Week kicked off on Monday (September 1) at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa. Climate Week is the initiative of the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that commenced this year with the first event hosted in Panama. (See article)
President Taye, on Tuesday (September 2), appointed Legesse Tulu as ambassador plenipotentiary and extraordinary. Legesse previously served as Minister of Communication Service.
The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration launched the second annual Trade Week, themed “Buy Ethiopian,” on Friday (August 30) in the presence of President Taye. The event highlighted Ethiopia’s progress toward domestic production self-sufficiency and promoted locally made goods.
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the strategic investment arm of the Government of Ethiopia, and Dangote Group have signed a comprehensive shareholders’ agreement to develop, construct, and operate a world-class urea fertilizer production complex in Gode, Ethiopia. The signing took place on Thursday (August 28) in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy, in a televised discussion with Social Affairs Advisor Daniel Kibret at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) site in Guba on Monday (September 1), described the project as a major achievement for the country. He noted that the dam realizes a long-held national aspiration to harness the Abbay River’s resources for development and represents a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s growth and progress.
Prime Minister Abiy visited the Aero Abay drone manufacturing facility on Thursday (September 4), noting that Ethiopia has progressed from importing drones to producing reconnaissance and commercial drones locally, a sign of growing innovation across institutions.
The “Human Origins and Fossils” Exhibition, featuring Ethiopia’s iconic fossils Lucy and Selam together abroad for the first time, was officially inaugurated on Monday (August 25) at the National Museum of the Czech Republic in Prague. (See article)
Ethiopia, at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 in Dakar on Thursday (September 4), unveiled its INVEST platform to attract capital and partnerships into agriculture and food systems.
Kenya
President William Ruto hosted the Commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Air Force General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday (September 4). The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to building partnerships aimed at safeguarding peace and Security.
Somalia
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met his Serbian counterpart, Đuro Matsut in Belgrade on Tuesday (September 2) to discuss strengthening Somalia-Serbia relations, focusing on education, security, and economic development.
Africa and the African Union
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, speaking at the official opening of the Second Global Climate Week on Wednesday (September 3) in Addis Ababa, called on the international community to ensure fair climate finance, effective technology transfer, and strengthened capacity building.
Chairperson Youssouf, on Tuesday (September 2), received Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, and commended the airline as a Pan-African flagship carrier supporting AU operations and advancing Agenda 2063.
The Second UN Climate Week Kicks Off in Addis Ababa
The 2nd UNFCCC Climate Week kicked off on Monday (September 1) at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa. Climate Week is the initiative of the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that commenced this year by the first event hosted in Panama.
Opening the High-Level segment of the conference on Wednesday (September 3), President Taye Atske Selassie emphasized the urgency of translating climate ambition into tangible action. In his statement, he expressed the concern that a decade after the Paris Agreement, the world is off track in terms of meeting the global climate targets, and Africa continues to bear a disproportionate impact.
He also underscored that climate action must drive our development, not compete against it. Furthermore, President Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s bold climate and environmental actions, citing the Green Legacy Initiative, Integrated Corridor Development and agriculture transformation initiatives as exemplary efforts and lessons that can be scaled up in other parts of Africa.
Fitsum Assefa, Minister for Plan and Development highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to climate leadership through the Green Legacy Initiative, renewable energy expansion, and a transition toward sustainable and inclusive development. The Minister emphasized the climate week and the deliberations therein align with the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) and reassured the audience of Africa’s readiness to set the pace for global progress.
Noura Hamladji, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNFCCC, who also made a statement during the high-level opening, recognized Africa is leading the way in climate action through several national projects, including community mini-grids in Kenya, green bonds in South Africa, and the Green Legacy Initiative in Ethiopia.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, underscored the meaningful connection that exists between the climate week and the Second Africa Climate Summit that will be hosted in Addis. He also called for translation of all pledges on climate finance, including the 1.3 trillion USD annual climate finance, into action.
Ethiopia’s selection to host the Second Climate Week reaffirmed its commitment to climate leadership and sustainable development across Africa. The Climate Week is part of the UNFCCC’s biannual Climate Week series, designed to translate global climate commitments into tangible action, provide a platform for regional and global collaboration, and shape the agenda for COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
At the meeting, Ethiopia announced its interest in hosting the UNFCCC-COP32 in 2027 and requested support from member states.
Ethiopia Signs $2.5 Billion Fertilizer Complex Agreement to Boost Food Security
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the strategic investment arm of the Government of Ethiopia, and Dangote Group have signed a comprehensive shareholders’ agreement to develop, construct, and operate a world-class urea fertilizer production complex in Gode, Ethiopia. The signing took place on Thursday (August 28) in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Addressing the landmark deal, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, “Congratulations to all Ethiopians on another milestone in our journey toward food security and agricultural transformation. Today, we signed the Fertilizer Complex Shareholder Investment Agreement between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and Dangote Industries Limited.”
He added that the project will create local jobs, ensure a reliable fertilizer supply for farmers who have long faced challenges, and represent a decisive step toward achieving food sovereignty.
According to an official statement released by EIH, under the partnership, EIH will hold a 40% equity stake, while Dangote Group will maintain 60% ownership of the transformative project, marking one of the largest industrial investments in Ethiopian history.
The project will establish one of the world’s largest single-site urea fertilizer production complexes, with combined production capacity of up to three million metric tons per year. This positions the Gode facility among the top five largest urea production complexes globally. Under the agreement, both entities will jointly finance, construct, own, and operate the state-of-the-art urea fertilizer plants and associated infrastructure. The development includes a pipeline to transport natural gas from the Calub and Hilala gas fields to the facility.
The agreement also provides for potential expansions, upgrades, and new initiatives in ammonia-based fertilizer production, including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and calcium ammonium nitrate, further strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a regional hub for fertilizer production.
Project development costs are estimated at $2.5 billion, with completion targeted within 40 months from commencement. The investment is expected to significantly reduce Ethiopia’s dependence on fertilizer imports while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Somali Regional State and beyond.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, said, “This partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings marks a pivotal moment in our shared vision to industrialize Africa and strengthen food security.” Brook Taye, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, added that this landmark agreement with Dangote Group represents a major step toward industrial self-sufficiency and agricultural modernization. “The project aligns seamlessly with our national development priorities, boosting agricultural productivity and positioning Ethiopia as a regional hub for fertilizer production. By utilizing domestic Hilala and Calub gas reserves through dedicated pipelines, we ensure energy security and cost competitiveness for decades. We are confident this partnership will deliver substantial value to Ethiopian farmers, enhance food security, and generate significant economic benefits for the nation,” he said.
The Gode fertilizer complex is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, which employs over 70% of the population. By providing reliable access to high-quality fertilizers at competitive prices, the project will boost crop yields, improve farmer incomes, and support national food security objectives.
Exhibition Showcasing Lucy and Selam Opens in Prague
The “Human Origins and Fossils” Exhibition, featuring Ethiopia’s iconic fossils Lucy and Selam together abroad for the first time, was officially inaugurated on Monday (August 25) at the National Museum of the Czech Republic in Prague.
The exhibition was opened in the presence of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Ethiopia’s Minister of Tourism, Selamawit Kassa. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the exhibition would inspire younger generations to explore human history and deepen ties between the two nations. National Museum Director Michal Lukeš also extended gratitude to Ethiopia, recognizing the fossils’ immense contribution to cultural exchange.
In her remarks, Minister Selamawit described the exhibition as a reflection of the close diplomatic ties between the two countries. She emphasized Ethiopia’s prominent role in the field of human origins, noting that the nation preserves a continuous fossil record of human ancestors spanning six million years.
Stressing that Lucy and Selam are being displayed together for the first time outside Ethiopia, Minister Selamawit highlighted their extraordinary scientific and cultural value, calling them “ambassadors of a new, forward-looking Ethiopia” that symbolize the country’s rich heritage.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, on his part, described the exhibition as a milestone in cultural and scientific diplomacy and as proof of a successful partnership. He underscored that hosting such rare treasures was both a great honor and an expression of Ethiopia’s trust in the Czech Republic. The Prime Minister also noted that the exhibition not only showcases scientific and cultural achievements but also strengthens cooperation in broader areas, including economic projects.
The display of Lucy, discovered in 1974 by Donald Johanson and dated to 3.18 million years, alongside Selam, a 3.3-million-year-old fossil, in Prague highlights Ethiopia’s unparalleled fossil record and affirms the country as the Land of Origins and the true cradle of humankind. The exhibition will remain open for 60 days at the Czech National Museum, providing researchers, tourists, and the public with a rare opportunity to witness firsthand the origins of humankind.
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