Friday, March 29, 2024
The National Conference on Climate-Resilient Sustainable Infrastructure, a collaboration between UNOPS and the Ethiopian Civil Engineers Association (EACE), convened in Addis Ababa on March 26 and 27, 2024. It underscored the pivotal role of a systemic approach in developing sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure to drive Ethiopia’s inclusive and sustainable growth.
The conference emphasized inclusive planning and design, highlighting the prioritization of key areas like water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), road and transport, housing, and energy infrastructure. It emphasized the crucial need for substantial financial backing from both national and international sources to ensure the inclusion of all vulnerable groups.
The event’s objectives included facilitating policy-making in sustainable infrastructure, promoting the exchange of best practices among stakeholders, and exploring innovative technologies in infrastructure development.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Mr. Wondemu Seta, State Minister of Urban and Infrastructure, said, “As we embark on these crucial deliberations today, I urge everyone of you to approach the discussions with a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and determination.”
“The decisions we make here will have far-reaching implications for generations to come, shaping the future landscape of our nation and our planet”.
He also stressed that the participants need to leverage their collective expertise, experiences, and insights to identify actionable solutions and best practices in sustainable infrastructure development. “Actions that will drive progress and transformation in our communities are vital,” the State Minister said.
During a recent two-day workshop, infrastructure and project management professionals actively engaged with presentations and took part in plenary sessions. The topics covered included WASH, irrigation, sustainable road and transport systems, sustainable housing and energy solutions, as well as financing and project delivery strategies. The discussions primarily focused on policy briefings to promote climate-resilient sustainable infrastructure. They also highlighted the significance of integrating planning processes that consider social, environmental, and economic sustainability, and explored innovative national policy approaches.
Eng. Yonas Ayalew, CEO of Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation and President of the Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers at the event said, “Sustainability begins with engineering design, ensuring that infrastructure materials and designs are inherently sustainable, fostering the creation of resilient homes and the development of smart cities”.
UNOPS is committed to aiding countries in improving their infrastructure planning, delivery, and management practices. This is achieved through benchmarking against globally recognized best practices and identifying areas for enhancement.
“I am very proud of our joint results with the Government of Ethiopia and donors, as a partner of choice, in the area of infrastructure development in different regions from the reconstruction of primary schools and health centers in Tigray, the installation of medical incinerators in eight different regions, and the design and rehabilitation of the one-stop shop centers for refugees, to the construction of latrines and water points in the Somali region,” said UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-County Office Director and Representative to the African Union, Ms. Worknesh Mekonnen Gonet. “We at UNOPS anticipate the future with the infrastructure designed and built to suit the needs of all users, including women, children, persons with disabilities, older or marginalized people. We are dedicated to the sustainable infrastructure which is resilient to climate change and climate-compatible.”
Infrastructure significantly impacts 92% of the objectives outlined in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and it can either facilitate or impede progress. Sustainable infrastructure, designed with a focus on climate resilience and inclusivity, has the potential to promote efficient transportation and renewable energy, create new employment opportunities and high-quality housing, and improve access to clean water and sanitation services.
There are no upcoming events at this time
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