2018 ETHIOPIA POSITION PAPER
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Brandon Boylan, bmboylan@alaska.edu
Introduction
The delegates of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia are poised to discuss topics that would not only affect our region but our continent as a whole. As a founding member of what has now become the African Union we aim to spread our diplomatic ideals across our region in a way that demonstrates our social outlook for those who would look down upon us. We come here today to focus on issues that are of major importance to us, to promote peace and security through dialogue, and to advocate peaceful conflict resolution. The delegates of Ethiopia today look to their fellow colleagues and are hopeful that we can come together in a cordial fashion to promote international solutions that will benefit all people throughout the world.
Security Concerns
The government of Ethiopia has made consistent efforts to bring peace to our region within the Horn of Africa while also spreading peace throughout the continent. We encourage other states to look at our example in regards to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, specifically our contributions to organizations like the United Nations Peacekeepers. We see through increased instability in developing nations the persistence of extremist and terrorist radicalization across the world. Our primary security concerns involve isolating these groups, nullifying their influence and preventing the spread of extremism in developing states in an effort to further support peace and diplomacy.
Environmental Concerns
Ethiopia has focused on developing policy to address global climate concerns. In looking at recent policy actions, Ethiopia was involved in the signing of the Paris Accord and has upheld several goals made in our Climate Action Plan to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement is focused on encouraging Ethiopians to conduct climate resilient, green economic strategies and continuing to develop a Growth and Development Plan. These political developments will require a long-term commitment from the countries involved, such as Egypt and Sudan, focusing on developments within Ethiopia, specifically the Grand Renaissance Dam currently being developed. There has been conversation on the liabilities and benefits of such a dam, and Ethiopia who is supporting this dam construction hopes to see it through. The government of Ethiopia aims to continue developing its environmental standards.
Position on Refugees
Ethiopia has put an emphasis on taking in refugees and has consistently supported the harboring of refugees in our state for many years. As the home to Africa’s second largest refugee population of 847,200 refugees, and one of the first countries to apply for the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), the government and people of Ethiopia wholeheartedly encourage our fellow member states to engage in international efforts to take in refugees who have been displaced due to environmental or security events beyond their control.
Works Cited
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “Ethiopia.” UNHCR . http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/ethiopia-592fd4854.html
“Ethiopia concludes presidency of UN Security Council.” 2017. Embassy of Ethiopia, London . https://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/ethiopia-concludes-presidency-of-un-security-council/
“United Nations Peacekeeping.” United Nations . https://peacekeeping.un.org/en
United Nations Environmental Program. “Ethiopia.” UNEP. http://web.unep.org/africa/who-we-are/un-environment-africa/un-environment-ethiopia
Awadalla, Additional Nadine. “Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan Hope to Break Nile Dam Talks Deadlock in One.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 29 Jan. 2018, www.reuters.com/article/us-africanunion-summit-nile/egypt-ethiopia-and-sudan-hope-to-break-n ile-dam-talks-deadlock-in-one-month-idUSKBN1FI1LC
“UN Environment.” UN Environment , drustage.unep.org/.