Ethiopia and the GEF host workshop to support environmental action in Eastern Africa

Ethiopia and the GEF host workshop to support environmental action in Eastern Africa News March 3, 2026 Photo credit: GEF

The Ministry of Planning and Development of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will co-host a four-day seminar focused on strategies and opportunities to achieve critical environmental and development goals.

Representatives from 14 countries in Eastern Africa will discuss how to strengthen efforts to support conserving vital ecosystems and biodiversity, restore degraded lands, address water scarcity and drought, build greener and more resilient cities and food systems, and mitigate chemical and waste pollution, including plastics.

In his opening remarks, Seyoum Mekonen, State Minister at the Ministry of Planning and Development underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration among countries in Eastern Africa to effectively respond to escalating environmental degradation and climate change impacts. He emphasized that enhancing cooperation would significantly improve the effectiveness and sustainability of programs funded by the GEF and advance sustainable development goals across the region.

”The GEF-9 replenishment negotiations provide an important opportunity for the region to put critical issues on the agenda with the GEF leadership to further enhance collaboration,” said Mekonen, who also serves as GEF Political Focal Point for Ethiopia.

The Eastern Africa Expanded Constituency Workshop brings together government officials, representatives of multilateral environmental agreements, GEF implementing agencies, and civil society organizations. Participating countries include Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Over the past 35 years, the GEF has invested a total of $148 million in grant financing in 32 projects in Ethiopia, mobilizing co-financing of $970 million from other sources. Currently, there are 22 active projects in the country with a total of $136 million in investments and $923 million in co-finance. Together, all 14 Eastern Africa countries have 194 active projects with a total of $1.1 billion in investments from the GEF and $6.3 billion in co-finance.

“The Expanded Constituency Workshop represents a crucial opportunity for open dialogue, shared learning, and collective action as we transition from the GEF-8 investment cycle toward the launch of GEF-9 in July,” said Yawo Jonky Tenou, Senior Environmental Specialist and GEF coordinator for Africa. “By coming together at this pivotal time, we can reflect on our progress, shape our future ambitions, and ensure that GEF investments continue to deliver lasting benefits for our countries and our planet."

During the workshop, participants will visit project-selected sites in Gullele and Yeka sub-cities of Addis Ababa City Administration along with “Corridor Development” initiative of Ethiopia.

These sites provide practical and visible examples of how GEF-supported interventions are strengthening adaptive capacity at the community level in urban areas. The project demonstrates scalable best practices that integrate livelihood support, ecosystem-based adaptation, and social inclusion within an urban context.

The visits will offer valuable learning opportunities for participating East African countries by showcasing replicable approaches to building urban climate resilience through community-driven and ecosystem-based solutions.

Originally published by the Ministry of Planning and Development.

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