Ethiopia Pledges Continued Efforts for Fair Water Use on World Water Day

ADDIS ABABA – On the occasion of World Water Day 2024, the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy has affirmed its dedication to promoting the equitable utilization of water resources, both within its borders and across the African continent. The annual theme, “Water for Peace,” underscores the critical role of water management in preventing conflicts and fostering global peace.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Water and Energy, ensuring fair and equal access to water for energy, transportation, and other uses is essential for maintaining peace between nations and groups. Hailu highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable and equitable water resource management, pointing to the nation’s involvement in initiatives such as the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as evidence of its leadership in this area on the continental stage.

“Working together on water issues is a significant step towards peacekeeping and rebuilding,” Mamusha stated, reflecting on the broader implications of the World Water Day 2024 theme. At a national level, Ethiopia is advancing its water governance through the establishment of a National Integrated Water Resources Management Program (IWRM), which aims to facilitate coordinated management of the country’s water resources.

The linkage between effective water resource management and peace was further emphasized, with IWRM being positioned as a key strategy for reducing conflicts over water and enhancing resilience to climate change. Bizuneh Asfaw, the Integrated Water Resources Management Team Coordinator, presented a paper on “Water for Peace and Prosperity,” in which he noted a tripling of water-related conflicts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America over the last two decades. Asfaw argued that IWRM is fundamental to ensuring peace and security, fostering integration, alignment, harmonization, and coordination across different sectors and actors.

The discussions during World Water Day events in Addis Ababa brought to light the importance of comprehensive water governance for achieving peace and prosperity. Ethiopia’s rich water resources, which are shared with neighboring countries, present both a challenge and an opportunity for development and cooperation in the region.