Addis Ababa, November 21, 2025 (FMC) – Africa must develop the capacity to feed its own people using its resources, innovation, and determination, Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega said, emphasizing that food sovereignty is fundamentally linked to dignity, stability, and economic independence.
Speaking at the two-day International Conference on Ensuring Food Sovereignty in African Countries, organized by the Russian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Minister Addisu described ensuring food sovereignty as one of the continent’s most defining priorities.
“Ensuring inclusive and sustainable food sovereignty for Africa is not merely a matter of agricultural productivity. It is an issue of dignity, stability, and economic independence,” he said.
Minister Addisu stressed that Africa must rely on its resources, innovation, and determination to feed its population. He noted that Ethiopia has placed agricultural transformation at the heart of its national development agenda.
“Our focus is clear: reduce import dependency, harness our land and water resources more effectively, modernize our production systems, and build a food system that is productive, competitive, and sustainable,” he stated.
The Minister highlighted Ethiopia’s ongoing initiatives, including irrigation expansion, scaling up mechanization, and strengthening commercialization through cluster-based farming, describing these as steps toward a new era in the country’s agriculture sector.
“Among our most notable achievements is the irrigated wheat initiative, which has transformed Ethiopia from a net importer to a country that fully meets its domestic demand and is now moving toward becoming a net exporter,” he said.
He added that this progress has been driven by determination, coordination, and innovation, demonstrating the potential when vision aligns with action.
Minister Addisu also emphasized Ethiopia’s long-standing partnership with the Russian Federation, describing it as a reflection of a shared understanding that sustainable development requires long-term investment and strategic alignment.
Russia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, underlined that feeding the world’s growing population remains one of today’s greatest challenges, particularly in African countries, where the population has reached 1.5 billion.
In this context, Ambassador Terekhin affirmed Russia’s role as a reliable partner for African nations, including Ethiopia, particularly in the agricultural sector.
He noted that cooperation with Ethiopia spans over a century and is built on trust, mutual respect, and a responsible approach to fulfilling obligations.
“For Russia, Africa is not a field for geopolitical confrontation but a space for equal interaction and mutually beneficial cooperation—a platform for exchanging ideas, implementing innovative projects, and addressing global challenges,” he said.
The Ambassador also described the choice of Addis Ababa as the conference venue as highly symbolic, highlighting the city’s role as a rapidly developing capital, a key regional hub, and home to numerous international organizations working on global challenges.
Bruce Biber, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross to the African Union, called on Russia, the African Union, its member states, and major food actors to invest in strengthening population resilience, local news agency ENA reported.
“Food shortages and the risk of famine cannot be addressed solely through short-term emergency relief,” Biber said. “Investing in long-term solutions will enhance resilience in food crises and conflict-affected areas.”