Briefing on current developments in Ethiopia held in Geneva, Switzerland

A high level delegation led by H.E Ambassador Tewolde Gebru held yet another successful meeting on current developments in the nation to Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin living in Switzerland on 2 May 2010. The delegation included W/ro Genet Wolde, Speaker of the House of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region; Ato Alemayehu Atomsa, Head of Public Relations of the Oromia Region; and Ato Tesfaye Wolde, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The well-attended meeting was organized by the Ethiopian Permanent Mission in Geneva at the Ambassador’s residence. Ato Melaku Petros, chargés d'affaires the Permanent Mission, moderated the meeting.

Ambassador Tewolde opened the meeting by highlighting the broad theme of the meeting and giving information on development efforts being underway in the country, current preparation for holding a free and fair election in May 23, 2010 and the Government’s multi-pronged measures to encourage the full participation of Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin in investment, transfer of knowledge and development.

W/ro Genet highlighted the key achievements recoded in agriculture, education, health and other sectors. She underscored the Government’s priority in ensuring efficiency in delivery of services through a robust and professional civil service. She also noted government’s programs in promoting job opportunity and other benefits particularly to women and the youth.

Ato Alemayehu Atomsa’s presentation focused on preparation for the 4^th federal and regional parliamentary elections to be held on 23^rd May 2010. He explained that the government has worked tirelessly to engage opposition members to ensure that the prerequisite for a free and fair election is met. Some of these measures include the amendment of the federal election proclamation, the reorganization of the national electoral body, the negotiation among political parties and the adoption by the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the code of conduct; the invitation extended to foreign observers, the establishment and operationalisation of a joint council involving all political parties and financial subsidies of political parties. He stated that these key measures were undertaken with participation and involvement of opposition political parties.

Ato Tesfaye Wolde on his part informed participants about measures taken by the government to engage Ethiopians and encourage their active participation in development in the country. He mentioned as examples, the institutionalization of Diaspora affairs in various government offices both at the federal and regional level, the dispatching of ‘ constituency diplomats’, the introduction of the ‘ yellow card’ and a muti-sector program aimed at encouraging Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin to participate in knowledge and skill transfer. He encouraged participants to be involved in these initiatives particularly by participating in provision of knowledge transfer to the numerous newly established higher education institutions.

The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session which focused on current election, Diaspora and development issues