Addis ababa: The Council of Ministers passed today decisions on loan agreements spanning agriculture, energy, trade, and climate finance as well as wide ranging legislative frameworks.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Council of Ministers initially examined two loan agreements. First on the agenda was a 46.3-million USD loan agreement secured from the African Development Bank for the execution of the Pastoral Food and Livelihood Improvement Project. The second is a loan agreement of 146.1 million SDR from the International Development Association to finance the sixth phase of the Productive Safety Net Program. Ascertaining that both loan agreements align with the nation's debt management policy, the Council unanimously decided to forward the respective draft ratification proclamations to the House of People's Representatives.
The Council then reviewed a draft proclamation tabled to amend the Federal Tax Administration Proclamation. While the Tax Administration Proclamation No. 983/2016 has served as the governing legal framework, the macroeconomic transformations witnessed across the country over recent years have necessitated an overhaul. The aim is to harmonize the system with contemporary global benchmarks, settle tax disputes in a fair, amicable, and efficient manner, institute a culture of transparency and accountability, and ensure robust enforcement of tax laws. Following deliberations, the Council integrated key inputs and unanimously voted to refer the draft proclamation to the House of People's Representatives.
The Council also discussed the draft proclamation on the Ethiopian Carbon Market. The bill sets the legal foundation to operationalize the national carbon market strategy, attract green investments, facilitate technology transfer, establish clear regulations for carbon trading mechanisms, and implement safeguards to protect local communities and environments hosting carbon projects. The Council unanimously approved the draft proclamation and referred it to the House of People's Representatives.
The draft Ethiopian Statistics Proclamation was the other agenda item tabled for discussion. The bill seeks to ensure the professional independence of the Ethiopian Statistical Service, clearly delineates the regulatory and executive roles of oversight and implementing bodies, strengthens coordination among all producers of official statistics, and aligns domestic statistical methodologies with international principles and standards. The Council enriched the draft and unanimously voted to forward it to the House of People's Representatives.
Furthermore, the Council deliberated on the draft National Energy Policy. The policy outlines a framework to harness the nation's energy resources affordably, guaranteeing a sustainable, reliable, secure, cost-effective, and competitive energy supply while maximizing benefits for all citizens. After comprehensive deliberations, the Council enriched the document and unanimously decreed its immediate implementation from the date of its adoption.
The Council then turned its attention to the draft National Policy on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality. The policy is structured to confront the root causes of systemic gender disparities and fortify mechanisms for the prevention of, protection from, and response to gender-based violence. The policy was unanimously approved for immediate implementation.
The Council also appraised the draft Insurance Proclamation. It is designed to serve as a legal framework to govern and guide the insurance sector, bolster market credibility, foster a fair, safe, and stable insurance ecosystem, and protect the interests of policyholders and insurance clients. Following review, the Council unanimously decided to forward it to the House of People's Representatives.
The Council proceeded to deliberate on the draft Ethiopian Trade Policy. The policy is structured to steer domestic and international trade systems, reinforce interventions designed to bridge specific market gaps, diversify export commodities and services, and offer strategic support to domestic industries. The Council debated on the policy and unanimously approved its implementation starting from the date of its adoption.
It then reviewed a draft amendment regulation introduced to redefine the organizational structure, mandates, and duties of the Petroleum and Energy Authority. The regulation seeks to empower the Authority to discharge its statutory responsibilities with heightened efficiency and competence. Following extensive deliberations, the Council incorporated key inputs and unanimously decreed that the regulation shall enter into force upon its publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.
The Council further considered a draft regulation aimed at establishing clear rules for the transparency of beneficial ownership information concerning entities endowed with legal personality. This regulation provides enforcement mechanisms for the effective execution of the existing proclamation on the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism. Following a comprehensive review, the Council incorporated inputs and unanimously decided that the regulation be effective upon its publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.
The draft Food System and Nutrition Proclamation was another issue discussed by the Council. The bill provides a legal foundation to execute interventions meant to mitigate and eliminate the adverse impacts of malnutrition and establishes a coordinated national oversight structure. The Council thoroughly reviewed the draft and unanimously resolved to forward it to the House of People's Representatives.
Finally, the Council deliberated on a draft regulation to govern the allocation of government budgetary support to autonomous universities. The regulation aims to transition state funding toward a transparent, block-grant system that ensures financial accountability, equity, and efficiency. Following discussion, the Council enriched the draft and unanimously ratified the regulation, decreeing its enforcement upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.
In addition, the Council discussed a legislative framework designed to transition the agricultural sector from traditional practices to a business-driven model. The draft proclamation on the establishment of Agricultural Business Company was then referred to the House of People's Representatives.