Emphasizing the importance of inclusive planning and design, the conference stressed the need for prioritizing areas such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), road and transport, housing, and energy infrastructure. These priorities require significant financial support from both national and international sources to ensure no vulnerable groups are left behind.
The event aimed to facilitate policy-making in sustainable infrastructure, promote the sharing of best practices among stakeholders, and explore cutting-edge technologies in infrastructure development.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Mr. Wondemu Seta, State Minister of Urban and Infrastructure, said, “As we embark on these crucial deliberations today, I urge everyone of you to approach the discussions with a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and determination.”
“The decisions we make here will have far-reaching implications for generations to come, shaping the future landscape of our nation and our planet”.
He also stressed that the participants need to leverage their collective expertise, experiences, and insights to identify actionable solutions and best practices in sustainable infrastructure development. “Actions that will drive progress and transformation in our communities are vital,” the State Minister said.
Over the course of a recent two-day workshop, professionals specializing in infrastructure and project management played an active role in engaging with presentations and participating in plenary sessions covering topics such as WASH, irrigation, sustainable road and transport systems, sustainable housing and energy solutions, as well as financing and project delivery strategies. The primary emphasis of their discussions revolved around policy briefings aimed at fostering climate-resilient sustainable infrastructure. They also delved into the importance of integrating planning processes that consider social, environmental, and economic sustainability, alongside exploring innovative national policy approaches.
Eng. Yonas Ayalew, CEO of Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation and President of the Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers at the event said, “Sustainability begins with engineering design, ensuring that infrastructure materials and designs are inherently sustainable, fostering the creation of resilient homes and the development of smart cities”.
UNOPS is dedicated to supporting countries in enhancing their infrastructure planning, delivery, and management practices by comparing them to globally recognized best practices and identifying areas for improvement.
“I am very proud of our joint results with the Government of Ethiopia and donors, as a partner of choice, in the area of infrastructure development in different regions from the reconstruction of primary schools and health centers in Tigray, the installation of medical incinerators in eight different regions, and the design and rehabilitation of the one-stop shop centers for refugees, to the construction of latrines and water points in the Somali region,” said UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-County Office Director and Representative to the African Union, Ms. Worknesh Mekonnen Gonet. “We at UNOPS anticipate the future with the infrastructure designed and built to suit the needs of all users, including women, children, persons with disabilities, older or marginalized people. We are dedicated to the sustainable infrastructure which is resilient to climate change and climate-compatible.”
Infrastructure has a profound influence on 92% of the objectives across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with the potential to either advance or hinder progress. When built sustainably, with a focus on climate resilience and inclusivity, it has the capacity to foster efficient transportation and renewable energy, generate new job prospects and high-quality housing, and enhance accessibility to clean water and sanitation services.
Tags: Worknesh Mekonnen Gonet, UNOPS Ethiopia, African Union, Ethiopian Civil Engineers Association, Eng. Yonas Ayalew, Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation, Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers, Wondemu Seta
