Addis Ababa, June 30, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia today officially launched its Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Roadmap and the first edition of the Land Account Report, marking a significant step toward integrating environmental sustainability into the country’s economic planning and development framework.
The Natural Capital Accounting Roadmap incorporates environmental assets—including land, forests, and water resources—into national economic planning, establishing a comprehensive framework for evaluating the sustainability of Ethiopia’s development efforts.
The inaugural Land Account Report, meanwhile, represents a key milestone in advancing the country’s climate resilience agenda. Developed using satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and standardized data classifications, the report documents land-use and land-cover changes across the country.
The two documents are expected to provide both physical and economic baseline data that will enable government institutions to monitor the impacts of large-scale landscape restoration, reforestation initiatives, and land degradation neutrality programs.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, State Minister of Planning and Development Bereket Fesehatsion said the occasion signifies more than the unveiling of two strategic documents.
According to him, it also reaffirms Ethiopia’s shared national vision of promoting evidence-based policymaking, responsible management of natural resources, and a development path in which economic growth and environmental sustainability reinforce one another.
The State Minister noted that Ethiopia’s Land Accounts mark the beginning of a continuing process, emphasizing that as institutional capacity strengthens and methodologies evolve, the country’s understanding of its natural wealth will become even more comprehensive.
Bereket further stressed that while reliable data is essential, meaningful change depends on effective implementation and broad collaboration. He called on government institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, research institutions, academia, and international development partners to work together in advancing the initiative.
«”Together, we must ensure that these accounts inform policy, guide investment, and shape decision-making at every level,” he underscored.»
The State Minister also said the progress achieved demonstrates what can be accomplished when institutions work together with a common purpose and shared commitment, reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to placing natural capital accounting at the center of Ethiopia’s planning systems.
Speaking on the occasion, World Bank Operations Manager Juliana Victor said the initiative would make a meaningful contribution to protecting and conserving the country’s natural resources.
She noted that the launch of the two documents reflects a stronger and more forward-looking approach to development.
«”Natural capital has not been sufficiently reflected in our economic decision-making, and when nature is not counted, it is often undervalued and misused. When it is undervalued, it’s also not easily integrated. Thus, the road map will also help to change that situation,” she said.»
According to Juliana, the achievement is the result of years of partnership, institutional capacity building, and technical support provided through the World Bank’s Resilient and Green Development Program Advisory Services and Analytics.If you’d like, I can also make it read even more like a premium international wire service report while keeping every fact intact.