Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of the Republic of India on the passing of former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.

Gedion signed the Book of Condolence in honor of the former Prime Minister at the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa today.

The Minister said Singh will be remembered as a visionary leader, a remarkable statesman, and an advocate for global progress whose contributions enriched India’s standing in the world.

He mentioned that Singh was a true friend of Ethiopia, noting that the late Prime Minister strengthened the bonds between the two countries.

On behalf of the People and Government of Ethiopia, Gedion extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of India.

“In this moment of sorrow, we stand in solidarity with the bereaved family, the People, and the Government of India,” the Minister added.

The African Union Commission is organizing the Extraordinary Summit on the Post Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

The Extraordinary Summit is anticipated to be held in Kampala, Uganda from 9 to 11 January 2025, it was learned.

The summit will also bring together the African heads of state and government.

The summit will focus on adopting the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035.

This will set in motion a 10-year agenda for building strong and resilient Africa’s Agri-Food Systems on the continent for agricultural growth, transformation and improved livelihood across the continent.

The proposed summit program will include meetings of Ministers in Charge of Agriculture Rural Development, water and Environment (ARDWE) and a Joint meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Agriculture, followed by the Summit of African Heads of State and Government.

The Comprehensive CAADP has been crucial in driving agricultural transformation across Africa since its inception in 2003.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has announced that more than 2.7 million hectares of arable land across the country has been covered with wheat seeds through irrigated agricultural activities.

During the current fiscal year’s dry months, Ethiopia is aiming to cultivate irrigated wheat on more than 4.2 million hectares of land with anticipated 173 million quintals of crop, the Ministry reminded.

According to the information of the Ministry, more than 2.7 million hectares of land has been covered with irrigated wheat so far. Note that the dry season in most parts of Ethiopia usually spans from late September to early May.

It is said that the dry season (bega) irrigation development works will be strengthened in all regions to achieve the national plan.

Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer, Faisal Zahid Malik has termed Ethiopia a gateway to Africa which is a huge market of 1.6 billion population having immense potential in diverse areas. He expressed these views during a call-on meeting with Ambassador of Ethiopia Jemal Beker Abdula at his office. Head of Digital Media and Strategy, Pakistan Observer, Saud Faisal Malik was also present in the meeting.

Faisal lauded the efforts the Ethiopian embassy has made soon after establishment of its mission in Islamabad and praised Ambassador Jemal for spearheading various business and trade initiatives that also include visit of the noted Pakistani businessmen and women, members of chambers of commerce and industry and investors to Ethiopia to explore new avenues of cooperation. Ethiopia is registering constant economic growth under the leadership of Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed who has introduced ‘homegrown economic reforms’ and the businessmen and investors of both the countries should take advantage of these investment-friendly initiatives in Ethiopia as well as Pakistan.