Addis Ababa, July 10, 2025 (FMC) — Ahead of the upcoming Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4), a high-level panel discussion highlighted Ethiopia’s agricultural revolution as a driving force behind significant advances in food security and nutrition.
Jointly organized by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) and the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), the event provided a strategic platform to review Ethiopia’s national food and nutrition strategy and its role in the global effort to transform food systems.
Over the past six years, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, Ethiopia has pursued a multidimensional development agenda, emphasizing nutrition system transformation through diversified food production, enhanced food security, and strengthened multi-sectoral coordination.
Ethiopia’s leadership during the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the 2023 UNFSS+2 has been widely recognized, culminating in the country’s selection—alongside Italy—to co-host the upcoming UNFSS+4, scheduled for later this month.
The panel, held under the theme “From Vision to Action: Ethiopia’s Path to Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Food Systems,” brought together key stakeholders to showcase the country’s ongoing strategies and progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mandefro Niguse, Director-General of ATI, emphasized Ethiopia’s comprehensive national strategies aimed at transforming food systems, highlighting the country’s notable progress in addressing interconnected challenges and seizing unique opportunities.
With the forthcoming summit expected to attract thousands of global participants, Mandefro called for robust media engagement to amplify the event’s importance.
Seife Deribe, CEO of ENA, underscored the critical role of the media in informing and mobilizing the public amid Ethiopia’s ambitious agricultural initiatives, with ENA actively supporting agricultural development coverage nationwide and beyond.
Dr. Firew Tegegn, Deputy Director-General of ATI, highlighted Ethiopia’s advances in agricultural modernization and mechanization, noting the country’s attainment of self-sufficiency in wheat and cereals.
Firew also pointed to flagship programs like the ‘Basket of Bounty,’ summer irrigation schemes, and the Green Legacy Initiative as key contributors to improving national food and nutrition security.
Since adopting a nutritional security approach, Ethiopia has recorded a 20 to 45 percent increase in the production of milk, meat, eggs, honey, and fish, marking significant strides toward national food resilience.