Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute celebrates 50 years, faces new challenges in global biodiversity and food systems
via The Reporter Ethiopia8 min read
The Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute EBI is celebrating its golden jubilee, marking 50 years of protecting Ethiopia's rich crop diversity and influencing global discussions on seed systems and biodiversity governance. Formerly known by various names including the Plant Genetic Resources Center/Ethiopia PGRC/E and the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation IBC, EBI has safeguarded over 90,000 accessions in cold storage and thousands more in field genebanks, including vital coffee collections. Ethiopian farmers' centuries-old knowledge and practices in selecting resilient seeds for diverse conditions formed the foundation of this diversity, which later became globally significant for traits like disease resistance and climate adaptation. EBI's establishment in 1976 was a response to the realization that this diversity was disappearing due to modern agricultural practices, habitat loss, and famine. The institute developed a unique philosophy, integrating conservation with farming systems, notably through the Seeds of Survival program, which helped communities restore lost varieties and establish community seed banks. EBI also played a crucial role in advocating for farmers' rights and their recognition as innovators in biodiversity discussions. As the world changes, with rapid advancements in genetic information technology and evolving biodiversity governance, EBI faces new challenges. It needs to transition from solely being a guardian to becoming a stronger research partner, n
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
Must ReadMassad Boulos, US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, visited Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea to enhance engagement in the region. In Somalia, Boulos met with Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali to discuss security and stability in the Horn of Africa, bilateral cooperation, and Somalia鈥檚 domestic political dialogue. In Eritrea, he met Foreign Minister Osman Saleh to review US-Eritrea bilateral relations and explore expanded cooperation in trade, regional economic development, and security. Boulos also met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo to reaffirm the US-Egypt strategic partnership and discuss shared regional priorities, including developments in Libya, Sudan, Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa. Boulos emphasized the need for constructive collaboration to address regional conflicts and advance peace and stability in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. These diplomatic efforts occur amidst shifting regional alliances, conflicts, and maritime disputes in the Horn of Africa.
Must ReadOver 4,000 participants have convened in Addis Ababa for the final conference of Ethiopia's National Dialogue, set to continue for several weeks. This event follows years of input collection by the National Dialogue Commission NDC, established in 2021 to foster reconciliation, build consensus, and guide the country towards sustainable peace. The NDC identified eight primary agenda pillars, including Nation-Building, State Structure, Governance Form, Political System, and Socio-Economic Issues, which will be deliberated in closed sessions by the participants. The outcome of these discussions is expected to result in a binding consensus next month. The opening ceremony was attended by senior government officials and members of the diplomatic community, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasizing that dialogue is crucial for safeguarding Ethiopia's stability from internal and external threats. He urged all nationalities to listen to each other's questions, particularly Oromo and Amhara, to resolve issues and put Ethiopia on a concrete path. AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner Bankole Adeoye and IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu also highlighted the significance of the dialogue for regional stability and peace. Commissioner Melaku Woldemariam stated that the process belongs to all Ethiopians and requires broad public ownership, with no decisions made in advance. Former Nigerian President and African Union Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Oba
Must ReadThe Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise EPSE is set to undergo a significant recapitalization of 286 billion Birr, as detailed in the fifth review of the IMF program. This allocation was approved by the Ministry of Finance on June 12 and authorized by the board of Ethiopian Investment Holdings EIH, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, on June 23. Approximately 170 million Birr will come from World Bank funds by the end of the 2025/26 fiscal year, with the remaining 116 billion Birr drawn from this year鈥檚 2.3 trillion Birr budget before March 2027. A temporary surcharge at pumping stations is expected to generate nearly 80 billion Birr, intended to clear outstanding claims on the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund and build EPSE's liquid assets to cover trade credit liabilities. The government aims to collect 176 billion Birr from fuel taxes and an additional 90 billion Birr from motor vehicle and accessories taxes this year. This recapitalization, equivalent to 1.3 percent of GDP, is part of a plan to transition to lower-cost sight payments for fuel imports, reduce reliance on deferred Letters of Credit, and eventually implement an automatic fuel pricing mechanism. Challenges in fuel import include reliance on two suppliers, logistical constraints from Red Sea ports, and high costs associated with spot market purchases. Despite recent improvements in supply and a moderate fall in prices, the IMF document highlights acute short-term financing pressures due to high fuel and ferti