Day: April 15, 2024

Bomet Governor’s vehicle was today involved in a road accident at Kipsarwet area of Bomet East.

The Governor and the occupants of his vehicle were unhurt after they rammed a motorcycle near Fairhills Hotel Monday morning.

The rider of the motorcycle was said to have made an attempt to cross the road before the accident occurred.

Bomet Central Police Commander Musa Omar Imamai said the pillion passenger of the bodaboda was injured and has been transferred to Longisa County Referral hospital for treatment.

Governor Prof Barchok was headed to his Bomet office when the accident occurred.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Second International Religious Institutions conference kicked off today in Addis Ababa.

A two-day conference brought together religious fathers of various countries, members of the diplomatic community, researchers and other invited guests.

The conference has been convened primarily to honor and promote interfaith collective action in the African continent.

Moreover, this conference aims to foster peace, human dignity, development, and preservation of the environment, and to counter hate speech, violence and xenophobia in Africa and across the world.

On this occasion, the 2024 Golden Rule Day and commemoration of World Interfaith Harmony week is being celebrated.

As faiths gather with the African Union (AU) to celebrate interfaith harmony, the event has gathered hundreds participants from different regions of Africa and the world to commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The Second International Religious Institutions conference was organized by Ethiopian Inter-religious Council in
collaboration of AU, G20 Interfaith Forum, Interfaith Dialogue Forum and United Religious Initiative.

The conference is also anticipated to discuss the vital roles of religious leaders and faith-inspired organizations in global, national and local affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: National Dialogue Chief Commissioner, Professor Mesfin Araya called on the UN agencies and other international partners to consolidate the resource mobilization efforts to the success of the Ethiopian national consultation process.

The dialogue commission has received some 12 vehicles today from the government of Japan that would be important for its operational activities and could lessen the transpiration burden in the rural parts of Ethiopia.

In his remarks at the handover ceremony, chief commissioner said the assistance of development partners is critical to realize Ethiopia’s ambition of national consensus on the most fundamental issues of significance.

As part of the support from Ethiopia’s partners, Mesfin appreciated the Japanese government for its commitment and today’s donation of vehicles to the commission.

According to him, Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has embarked on a reconciliation process to attend unity and consensus in the country.

Acknowledging Ethiopia richness
in diversity as well as heritages, the chief commissioner explained that the country has faced with challenges in realizing a shared vision.

Despite extreme political views that Ethiopia is experiencing, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has been working hard for all-encompassing political landscape as well as reconciliation, Mesfin stated.

In this respect, he underscored that the commission stands as a beacon of hope to bridge the gaps that dividing us and pave the way for brighter future.

‘As we are undertaking this critical national initiative, it is abundantly evident that the participation of more national and international stakeholders succeeds our national expectation,’ he said.

As the ongoing Ethiopia’s national consultation project requires significant resources, the commissioner said, adding that therefore the engagement of partners would have an indispensable role in driving forward the dialogue activities.On his part, UNDP Ethiopia Resident Representative, Samuel Doe said we believe s
trongly that Ethiopia is at a critical juncture for dialogue in which UNDP has been part of the process from the inception.

The UNDP is looking forward to working closely with the commission and with all people of Ethiopia, he noted.

‘The path of conversation provides shared vision, the path for conversation provides shared solutions, and the powerful conversation provides the pathway for economic prosperity.’ He added we are also looking forward that the east African nation will address its major outstanding issues through the consultation project.’

Japan’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori said that today’s handing-over ceremony shows strong ties between Ethiopia and Japan through supporting the national dialogue process and the government of Japan is continuously supportive of Ethiopia in various spheres.

In May 2023, Japan provided 3 million USD in collaboration with UNDP to enable the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission to conduct a more efficient and credible national consultation, he indi
cated.

The ambassador reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue its enhanced support for the success of the national dialogue commission and other various development activities in Ethiopia

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The government of Japan has donated 12 vehicles to the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission that would be important for its operational activities.

The Japanese embassy in Ethiopia hosted a ceremony to hand over these vehicles that will support the ongoing endeavors of the commission to see a national consensus by reaching on the most fundamental issues of national significance.

Accordingly, the handover ceremony was attended by Chief Commissioner of Ethiopian National Dialogue, Mesfin Areya,UNDP Ethiopia Resident Representative, Samuel Doe and Japan ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori among others.

Most importantly, those vehicles are expected to reduce the transportation burden that the commission may face in rural parts of Ethiopia.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chief Commissioner Mesfin thanked the Japan government for its longstanding relationship and commitment to support Ethiopia.

The vehicles that have been donated by Japan will be fully utilized in the field works of the
commission, he revealed.

Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Shibata Hironori on his part reaffirmed his country’s commitment to support the success of the national dialogue commission and other various development activities in Ethiopia.

Recall the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission consists of 11 members whose undertaking is to facilitate inclusive techniques of discussion and reconciliation that heal wounds, build consensus on key troubles, and assist Ethiopia in remedying its complicated issues.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: State Minister of Peace, Kairedin Tezera stressed the need to create a platform for religious leaders to share best practices and develop the initiative for peacebuilding and environmental stewardship.

The Second International Religious Institutions conference kicked off today in Addis Ababa.

The two-day conference brought together faith leaders and religiously linked institutions from various countries to discuss pressing issues, foster understanding and promote peaceful coexistence across the globe.

The conference aims to foster peace, human dignity, development, and preservation of the environment, and to counter hate speech, violence and xenophobia in Africa and across the world.

Speaking at the occasion, Peace State Minister Kairedin Tezera said ‘we stand at a crossroads. The winds of change are upon us marked by climate in crisis, yearning for societies where human dignity and rights are the cornerstone of policy and action.’

At this juncture, the work of religious fathers regarding pe
ace building and environment protection is critical than ever, he stressed.

For generations, faith fathers have served as anchors of peace and foster dialogue, he underscored, adding that ‘today, this could be more urgent than ever.’

The globe is entangled with mammoth challenges such as climate crisis, displacement, conflict, and drought.

‘Yet, in the middle of these challenges, there is reason for hope. Religious peacebuilding offers a powerful path forward. It is the moral authority to bridge difference, promote empathy, inspire collective action for a given legacies and secures sustainable peace,’ the state minister underlined.

Faith communities have a unique capacity to speak to the hearts and minds of people, fostering understanding and cooperation regardless of ethnic and cultural identities.

Therefore, he underlined ‘ Let us create a platform for religious leaders to share best practices, extensive knowledge and develop the initiative for peace building and environmental stewardship.’

We have wi
tnessed the transformative power of religion in peacebuilding, he noted, adding the Ministry of Peace has taken exemplary action.

The interfaith council which has been established brings together religious leaders from diverse traditions to address human challenges, including the critical issue of environment, he said.

A Green Legacy Initiative, a nationwide tree planting program exemplifies powerful link between religious peace building and developmental action, according to the state minister.

Faith leaders have been instrumental in mobilizing communities, emphasizing the connection between a healthy environment and a peaceful society.

‘This initiative not only combats deforestation, but also fosters a sense of shared purpose and collective responsibility for the future,’ he underscored.

Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, Secretary General Kesis Tagay Tadele said on his part that the conference will provide opportunities to discussion on key issues in which religious communities have deep interest an
d come up with recommendation to advance this interfaith harmony and human dignity, and preservation of the environmental.

The council is committed to enhancing its partnership with different national, regional and international partner organizations to advance a culture of peace interfaith dialogue and environmental protection, he affirmed.

President of G20 Interfaith Forum Association, Professor Cole Durham on his part expressed gratitude for gathering together and celebrate central religious ideas and interfaith harmony in Ethiopia.

‘We hope this time can be a time of building and strengthening relationships, as all of us work together to identify initiatives that can have significant practical effects. We seek not only ideas, but ideas with impact,’ the professor noted.

As G20 interfaith leaders, we are conscious of a number of priority areas that are already emerging, noting broader engagement with emerging food prices, pursuing successful programs on climate and other environmental concerns, he elab
orated

‘We need not only to identify specific policy priorities, but in addition, it is vital to help global leaders understand that engagement with faith communities is itself an essential priority that holds the key to furthering countless other objectives.’

Regional Director of United Religious Initiative for Africa, Mussie Hailu said religious leaders have been playing a crucial role in peacebuilding and achievement the Agenda 2063 of Africa and of Sustainable Development Goals.

‘In this divided and conflict torn world, we cannot remain as we are. Why can we go back to condition that are now behind us? We need to move forward in a new direction for us to live in peace without marginalizing and destroy environment,’ he underlined.

Moreover, he argued that we need to be responsible global citizens and play our part, to our best ability in building the peace we want to see in the world.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency