The Federal Government of Ethiopia through its UNCCD Focal Point, i.e. the Federal Environmental Protection Authority, launched a 2 days consultation workshop on the updated UNCCD/NAP and Road Map documents from November 5-6th 2007 at Queen Sheba Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ethiopia as one of the most affected countries by desertification signed and ratified the UNCCD convention in October 1994 and June 1997 respectively. After ratifying the convention, the Ethiopian Government delegated the Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA), as the National CCD Focal Point to oversee the implementation of the UNCCD activities in Ethiopia.
In 1998, the EPA, in cooperation with the UNDP/UNSO and in consultation with major stakeholders, formulated the country’s National Action Program (NAP) as is stipulated in Article 10 of the Convention. However, the implementation of the NAP at country level did not go as far as expected due to institutional and financial constraints.
Moreover, major factors such as policy, legislation and institutional changes made in the last nine years also required an update of the document to make it in line with the changing situation. It was in this regard that the 2 days consultation workshop was conducted to discuss the updated NAP and Road Map documents amongst representatives of different actors.
Representatives from the Federal Parliament, Federal Environmental Protection Authority (FEPA), Regional Environmental Protection Authority (REPA), Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, Addis Ababa University, Civil Society Organizations/NGOs and the Biodiversity Institute, were drawn to participate in the consultation process.
During the two days consultation workshop the following major critical issues were presented by FEPA and discussed:
- Overview of the UNCCD and NAP implementation status in Ethiopia,
- Updated NAP documents: Volume I, II and III,
- Updated Road Map document.
Paper presentations were supplemented by group discussions and participants, divided into four groups, discussed and gave input into the following major agenda items:
- Volume I: State of the Environment in Arid, Semi-arid and Dry sub-humid areas,
- Volume II: Measures taken to Combat Desertification,
- Volume III: Gap Analysis and proposed approaches to Combat Desertification, and
- Updated Road Map for the implementation of NAP.
The above four major draft documents were thoroughly analyzed in syndicate group works and further enriched by plenary discussions to the benefit of the NAP document.
The civil society representation and participation was highly recognized by the FEPA and plenary presentations and discussions were chaired by the Ethiopian Association for Combating Desertification (EACD), Member of DCG Ethiopia and the DCG Ethiopia Secretariat. The updated NAP document will soon be available incorporating the inputs provided by the participants.