ADDIS ABABA – Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to Ethiopia on Friday, pledging to place climate action at the heart of its bilateral development strategy as the Horn of Africa continues to grapple with extreme weather cycles.
Irish Ambassador Olivia Leslie told state media in Addis Ababa that Dublin is expanding climate-smart agriculture programs into the Somali and Afar regions, which have been historically vulnerable to drought.
The initiative aims to integrate gender equality into climate negotiations, ensuring that women, who bear the brunt of agricultural labor, are central to adaptation strategies.
“Africa’s voice needs to be at the center of the COP process,” Leslie stated, emphasizing the need for diverse climate finance sources, including the private sector.
The diplomatic push comes as Ethiopia seeks to stabilize its economy following years of internal conflict and environmental shocks, with climate resilience now viewed by the government as a cornerstone of national security.
