[WLRC, September 2024] – The Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC) organized a high-level national dissemination workshop on “Improving Water Security for Sustainable Development in Ethiopia: Bridging Research-Policy Gaps”. The Workshop was conducted September 16-17, 2024, at Haile Grand in Addis Ababa with primary aim of sharing findings from the Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub Project with key policymakers, decision makers, and experts/practitioners at stakeholder organizations engaged in the water sector.
In his welcoming address, Dr. Gete Zeleke, Director General of WLRC, emphasized the significance of disseminating research findings in bridging the gaps among research, policy, decision and practice. He stated that the conference would serve as a pivotal platform for advancing dialogue on water security and its critical role in achieving sustainable development goals. Dr. Gete underscored the potential of the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) to implement key findings from extensive research in water resource management, introducing innovative approaches such as the National Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Program.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Debebe Deferso, delegate of the Minister of MoWE, reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainable management of water and energy resources. He remarked, “Our goal is to create a resilient, water-secure Ethiopia for generations to come.” Mr. Debebe highlighted the importance of research and capacity building facilitated by WLRC in formulating evidence-based policies to tackle challenges like pollution and climate change. He reaffirmed that the Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub Project focused on innovative solutions and community engagement to address urgent water security issues in important basins, mainly the Abbay, Awash, and Central Rift Valley basins.
Professor Claire L. Walsh, Lead Researcher and Collaborator of the Hub, on her part highlighted the five-year journey of the Hub across Colombia, Ethiopia, India, and Malaysia and outlined the key achievements made globally. She emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a water-secure future. In that regard, Professor Walsh indicated that the Hub has created a robust platform for sharing knowledge and developing innovative knowledge management methods. She highlighted that this collaborative approach has facilitated the revelation of new scientific findings, underscoring the critical role of partnerships in addressing global water security challenges.
The workshop featured dynamic engagements, including bilingual policy briefs, poster presentations, photo exhibitions, oral presentations, and panel discussions. Six bilingual policy briefs were distributed, and over 50 posters were displayed. Three panel discussions brought together experts from the MoWE, Ethiopian Environment Authority, academic institutions, and various ministries, fostering rich exchanges on water management strategies.
A key highlight was the launch of the Ethiopian Database for Hydrometeorological Indices (EDHI), designed to enhance knowledge sharing and link various levels of water management across the country. This platform aims to empower local water experts and promote data-driven decision-making.
Moreover, the WLRC introduced citizen science initiatives to monitor river health, showcasing innovative projects developed by students. Four students from Dejazmach Wondiyrad Secondary School, Eyosias Solomon, Hamdi Seid, Matewos Wondoson, and Dagmawi Mulugeta, presented a prototype water filter they created through their citizen science project. WLRC recognized the students for their creativity and promised to support their future endeavours.
This conference marked a crucial step in fostering collaboration and informing future policy and guidelines on water security in Ethiopia, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable water management framework.