Final conference

Final Conference: Building Resilience to Climate Change in Ethiopia

The Development Economics Research Group (DERG) and Policy Studies Institute (PSI) organized a final conference to present the comprehensive findings of their multi-year research project on October 8, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa.

The conference marked the conclusion of the collaborative research project "Building Resilience to Climate Change in Ethiopia: Exploring Options for Action," which conducted two rounds of a national panel survey involving 2,000 representative households across different regions and program areas.

Conference room and media attention
Conference room and media attention

Conference Highlights:

The event featured opening remarks by Ato Teferi Tiyaru, Vice Director General of PSI, and a keynote address by His Excellency Sune Krogstrup, Danish Ambassador to Ethiopia. Professor Finn Tarp from UCPH-DERG provided an introduction to the Building Resilience project, while Dr. Tadesse Kuma from PSI presented an overview of activities, outputs, and impacts.

Ambassador Sune Krogstrup
Ambassador Sune Krogstrup
Professor Finn Tarp
Professor Finn Tarp

Research Presentations:

The conference showcased a series of research papers emerging from this extensive project, covering critical topics including:

  • Objective and perception-based measures of resilience in rural Ethiopia (Dr. Tseday Mekasha, UCPH)
  • Green impacts of Ethiopia's Sustainable Land Management Project (Dr. Peter Fisker, UCPH)
  • Gender differences in climate change adaptation strategies (Dr. Mintewab Ayele, PSI)
  • Impact of agricultural flagship programs in building household resilience capacity (Dr. Tadesse Kuma, PSI & Dr. Hailu Elias, AAU)

 

Distinguished Speakers:

The conference included a special presentation by Professor Belay Simane, Professor of Environmental Studies at Addis Ababa University, and featured a keynote address on the Green Legacy Initiative, highlighting its significance in enhancing Ethiopia's environmental resilience.

At the dinner after a successful workshop from the left: Fekadu Tseday (General Director, PSI; Prof. Finn Tarp (UCPH); Dr Peter Fisker; Dr. Tadesse Kuma (PSI)
At the dinner after a successful workshop from the left: Fekadu Tseday (General Director, PSI; Prof. Finn Tarp (UCPH); Dr Peter Fisker; Dr. Tadesse Kuma (PSI)

Project Impact:

This policy research project successfully identified, evaluated, and compared drivers of resilience to climate change in rural Ethiopia using existing national survey data, satellite measures of drought exposure, and targeted household surveys. The research provides crucial insights into climate-smart adaptation strategies and offers evidence-based policy recommendations for strengthening resilience in smallholder agriculture.

The event brought together stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from various ministries, international organizations, and academic institutions to engage in meaningful discussions shaping the future of climate resilience in Ethiopia. The conference concluded with comprehensive discussions on future research avenues and policy implications, moderated by Professor Alemu Mekonen.