Addis ababa: Emphasizing a collaborative approach and adherence to the principles of prudent and reasonable use of transboundary resources, Water and Energy Minister's Special Advisor, Motuma Mekassa, stated that Ethiopia will continue to advocate for Africa to lead a collaborative and win-win approach in water development.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Motuma Mekassa spoke at the Conference themed 'Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063' at the African Leadership Excellence Academy. He highlighted that sustainable water availability and safe sanitation are central to Africa's collective progress on development, regional partnership, public health, and climate resilience.
Ethiopia views water governance as both a development priority and a diplomatic tool, noted Mekassa, emphasizing the role of cooperation in shared river basins. He pointed out the ongoing challenges across the continent, including limited access to safe water and sanitation, climate change impacts, weak institutional systems, and the continuing burden faced particularly by women and girls.
The conference has been described as a platform that strengthens dialogue on transboundary cooperation and generates recommendations to support regional water governance. Motuma emphasized the need for stronger hydro diplomacy, institutional trust, long-term investment frameworks, and measures that deliver mutual benefits for stability and cooperation in shared river systems like the Congo and Senegal.
Mekassa reiterated Ethiopia's commitment to the principles of prudent and reasonable utilization of transboundary resources, urging for policy dialogue, technical cooperation, investment planning, and broader continental partnership aligned with Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals.
Vice Chief of the African Leadership Excellence Academy, Meseret Desta, cited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a powerful example of connectivity in the region. She noted that the energy generated could support integration, enable trade and development, and act as a 'connector of people, economies, and opportunities.'
Meseret also emphasized that sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems are matters of dignity, human development, and governance. Access to water is tied to the effectiveness of institutions, the prioritization of long-term impacts by leaders, and the consistent and fair service of communities by systems.
She added that water governance demands shared responsibility, highlighting that Africa's destinies are interconnected across rivers, energy systems, and trade routes. The Vice Chief stressed the necessity of continuous engagement and leadership systems to maintain momentum in managing and sustaining infrastructure and cooperation.