TUE FEB 11 2025-theGBJournal| Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is scheduled to leave Abuja on Tuesday for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will be attending two different programmes organised by the Ethiopian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), respectively.
Dr. Jonathan will first attend a policy dialogue on climate-resilient irrigation and Africa’s Food sovereignty organised by the Ethiopian Government in Addis Ababa on Wednesday 12 February, 2025. Two days later, he is billed to present a high-level keynote speech at the launch of the United Nations report on ‘Advancing Inclusive Development: Policy options for Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Mali and Niger.’
The report, which is a joint initiative of UNDP, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), is an innovative venture tailored to support inclusive transitions.
Dr. Jonathan is expected to share his unique insights on issues of development and political transitions in West Africa with participants at the two events
In a letter inviting him to the scheduled report presentation, the UNDP stated that the former President’s support and advocacy for the programme would significantly enhance the impact of the research and pave the way for prompt and effective implementation of the report’s policy recommendations.
It is part of the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) project which is a key mechanism under which UNDP and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation are collaborating to advance sustainable peace, democratic governance, and leadership development in West and Central Africa.
AFSIT, a joint initiative of UNDP and the African Union Commission, and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) seeks to offer forward-looking policy options in support of citizens of countries that have recently been affected by complex political
According to a UNDP explainer, AFSIT “was developed in response to the call made by the AU Heads of State and Government at the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, held on 28 May 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
A collaborative initiative of UNDP and the AUC, AFSIT “provides integrated programmatic support to countries in Africa undergoing complex political transitions. It is an innovative approach to complex political and development programming that supports the realization of agendas 2030 and 2063 of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) respectively.”
The event is scheduled to hold on February 14, 2025, at UNDP Regional Service Centre in Addis Ababa.
Before then, Dr. Jonathan will participate in the International conference on irrigation and climate resilient production organised by the Ethiopian Government.
According to a programme released by Ethiopia’s ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, Dr. Jonathan will be on a panel titled ‘Perspectives on Climate-Resilient Irrigation and Policies for Africa’s Food Sovereignty’ with other high level panelists including Hailemariam Desalegn, former prime minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, former Pfresident of Tanzania, Macky Sall, former President of Senegal.
It added that the policy dialogue would focus on engaging high-level African leaders, former Heads of State, and global experts in discussions centered on the critical role of climate-resilient irrigation in achieving food sovereignty across the African continent.
The ministry further stated: “As climate change continues to threaten agricultural productivity, it is imperative to explore innovative irrigation policies that can enhance resilience and ensure sustainable food production for Africa’s growing population. This dialogue will provide a platform for leaders to share experiences, best practices, and policy recommendations that will support the scaling up of climate-smart irrigation systems.”
Both events are holding on the close margins of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union.
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