April 14, 2025 – A high-level meeting was held between H.E. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, and Dr. David Laborde, Director of Agrifood Economics at the FAO, to reinforce cooperation on transforming Ethiopia’s agri-food systems.

The discussion centered on aligning Ethiopia’s national food systems strategy with FAO’s global roadmap, as Ethiopia advances a comprehensive, data-driven plan that integrates production, processing, distribution, and consumption.

During the discussion, State Minister Semereta emphasized the significance of Ethiopia’s selection as one of five pilot countries under the FAO’s global roadmap.She underscored that this recognition presents a “great opportunity for Ethiopia to strengthen the ongoing national efforts” and benefit from technical expertise, global experience, and enhanced cooperation with international partners.

Dr. Laborde reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia in this transformative journey, praising the country’s proactive approach in addressing challenges across the food system and its potential to serve as a model for other nations in the region.

The collaboration is anticipated to drive targeted policy reforms and innovative initiatives that will enhance food security and promote national well-being through improved access to nutritious food.