ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide recently met with Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), to discuss the upcoming 4th Conference on Financing for Development. The preparatory meeting, as outlined by the Ministry of Finance, is set for July 22-26, 2024, in Addis Ababa, and aims to bolster Africa’s united interests, particularly advancing the Horn of Africa Initiative.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the conference will address several critical issues of mutual concern, focusing on reinforcing Africa’s collective goals. Additionally, Ethiopia is preparing to host the first African Urban Forum (AUF) from September 4-6, 2024, under the theme “Sustainable Urbanization for Africa’s Transformation – Agenda 2063.” This historic forum will explore avenues for sustainable urban development across the continent, reflecting the broader developmental aspirations embodied in Agenda 2063.
The discussions between Minister Shide and Executive Secretary Gatete highlight Ethiopia’s proactive role in shaping regional development agendas and fostering collaborative approaches to address pressing economic and developmental challenges in Africa.