Uniting for Change and Innovation: Highlights from the Ethiopian Landscape Restoration Platform’s Annual Conference

The first annual conference of the Ethiopian Landscape Restoration Platform took place from April 1-5, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hosted by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), this landmark event gathered over 50 key stakeholders, including Vice Presidents from 16 universities and researchers dedicated to landscape restoration.

Authored by: Zenebe Adimassu (Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT), Berhanu Belay (International Research Institute), Degefie Tibebe (Alliance), Wuletawu Abera (Alliance), and Lulseged Tamene (Alliance).

This inaugural conference marked a significant step in Ethiopia’s journey towards reversing land degradation. The primary goals of the conference were to share research on landscape restoration, approve the platform’s bylaw, and establish a strategy and action plan for member universities. By facilitating experience-sharing among higher learning institutions, the conference aimed to enhance collaborative efforts in landscape restoration.

Land degradation poses severe threats to livelihoods and economic growth in Ethiopia. Recognizing the critical need for integrated landscape restoration and sustainable land management practices, the conference underscored the role of nature-based solutions. Universities, research centers, and development partners are increasingly engaged in these efforts, yet their activities often lack coordination and public recognition.

To address these challenges, the Alliance, in collaboration with the Accelerating the Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research in Africa (AICCRA) Ethiopia project, organized a workshop from December 11-12, 2023. This event brought together over 45 scholars from the Alliance and 16 public universities, including those from Gondar, Debre-Tabor, Bahir-Dar, and others.

Facilitated by Dr. Zenebe Adimassu and Prof. Berhanu Belay, the workshop aimed to:

1. Share experiences on landscape restoration among HLIs and the Alliance.
2. Develop partnerships and networks for cross-learning and experience sharing.
3. Create knowledge management systems to support national restoration initiatives.
4. Establish a community of practice for landscape restoration in Ethiopia.

Twenty draft manuscripts were presented, covering topics such as forest restoration, soil and water conservation, gully rehabilitation, wetland restoration, and impact assessment. The platform’s bylaw, strategy, and action plan were also reviewed and approved.

Key Takeaways:

1. Collaboration is Key: The conference stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, researchers, and local communities. This united approach facilitates innovative landscape restoration techniques and the sharing of best practices.
2. Sustainable Practices: There was a strong focus on sustainable restoration practices to combat deforestation, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Strategies to restore degraded landscapes and promote biodiversity conservation were explored.
3. Community Involvement: The critical role of local communities was highlighted, emphasizing their involvement in decision-making processes to ensure the long-term success of restoration efforts.
4. Policy Recommendations: Senior university presidents proposed policy recommendations to support landscape restoration, including incentivizing restoration activities, improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and exploring carbon financing options.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to take concrete actions towards landscape restoration and sustainable land management. Stakeholders pledged to continue working together to achieve the platform’s goals.

The inaugural conference of the Ethiopian Landscape Restoration Platform was a resounding success, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and commitment towards sustainable landscape restoration. By uniting diverse stakeholders and leveraging collective expertise, the platform is poised to drive positive change and create resilient, sustainable environments for future generations.

#Ethiopia #LandscapeRestoration #SustainableLandManagement #EnvironmentalConservation #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #UniversityCollaboration #CommunityEngagement #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableDevelopment #InnovationInRestoration #ResilientEcosystems #RestorationConference #GreenFuture #EcoInitiatives #RestoreEthiopia #AllianceForChange