Addis ababa: Ethiopia's Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Roadmap and the 1st Edition Land Account Report were launched today. Ethiopia's NCA Roadmap integrates environmental assets, such as land, forests, and water, into national economic planning, establishing a framework for assessing the sustainability of the country's economic development.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the 1st Edition Land Account is a foundational milestone for Ethiopia's climate resilience goals. The accounts utilize satellite imagery and geographic information systems (GIS) to map land use and cover dynamics, providing a baseline to help government agencies track the impacts of landscape management, reforestation, and land degradation neutrality projects.
During the launch, Ministry of Planning and Development State Minister Bereket Fesehatsion emphasized the ceremony's significance in presenting the documents and affirming a national vision grounded in evidence-based policymaking and responsible natural resource stewardship. He noted that as institutional capacities expand, the methods will improve, enhancing the understanding of the nation's full wealth.
The State Minister highlighted the necessity for partnership in implementing the roadmap, urging stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, civil society, research institutions, academia, and international development partners, to collaborate. He stressed that these accounts should inform policy, guide investment, and shape decision-making at every level.
World Bank Operation Manager Juliana Victor remarked that efforts to protect and conserve natural resources are crucial. She noted that natural capital has often been undervalued and misused due to its insufficient reflection in economic decision-making. The roadmap aims to address this issue, reflecting years of partnership, institution building, and technical support under the World Bank's resident and green development program advisory services and analytics.