Ethiopia, 1 November 2025 — Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable management of transboundary rivers, emphasizing to seek a balance in its sovereign right to development with its regional duty to ensure equitable use and avoid harm to neighboring states.
Speaking at the closing session of Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Week, Water and Energy Minister, Habtamu Itefa, underscored that sustainable resource governance must rest on cooperation, transparency, and shared benefits.
The week-long event, held at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa under the theme ‘Clean Water and Energy for Sustainable Development’, brought together experts, academics, government officials, and international partners to explore ways to improve water and clean-energy management in support of national development goals.
The minister stressed that Ethiopia regards its transboundary rivers as shared resources that should be managed in a spirit of cooperation and mutual responsibility.
He also highlighted that the government’s initiatives in expanding renewable-energy generation and efficient water utilization form part of a broader national strategy aimed at achieving green growth, strengthening water, food, and energy security, and improving the overall well-being of citizens.
Commenting on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Habtamu said the project was a clear expression of Ethiopia’s vision for sustainable development—designed to benefit its people while avoiding harm to downstream countries.
