Ethiopia hosting FFD3: A testament to progress in eradicating poverty

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is delighted; it has been preparing for months to welcome the 5000 or so high profile international guests (including Heads of States, Ministers and other special representatives of countries) attending the Third Financing for Development Conference (FFD3). And so far, so very good!

The UK’s delegation, led by Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development, arrived in Addis yesterday. FFD3 is extremely important for the UK – we are one of the world’s major development donors and one of the very few ‘developed’ countries to meet the commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid, of which we’re very proud. And we hope to see a really good agreement in Addis that sets the future agenda and better fits the realities of today’s global economy.

So what is it that makes FFD3 special? Having worked in Ethiopia for approaching four years, it is astonishing for me to see the daily progress in which a country that has long been associated with hunger and poverty is being transformed into a social and economic success story – and one able to host such a huge conference. This conference is a real testament of Ethiopia’s progress in its fight against poverty.

Ethiopia’s outstanding economic growth has started to attract the world’s attention. It has become a major centre for key regional and international organisations like the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Many international investors have come and set up businesses here. Diageo, Pittards, Vasari, JCB and Unilever to mention but a few are among the l British companies that have put huge investments in Ethiopia. And only last week, Ethiopia was recognised as a safe and outstanding place to visit by The European Council on Tourism and Trade and received the World’s Best Tourism Destination award.

Ethiopia’s fight against poverty is being acknowledged by many. Their successes have started transforming the world’s perception of the country. 30 years ago, the BBC led the way in publicising the notorious famine – but last week they were here again to witness the transformed Ethiopia and to broadcast a very different picture under the title “Scene of famine in Ethiopia transformed’.

Though Addis is the seat of the AU and is gaining considerable experience in organising various international gatherings, FFD3 is by far the biggest event the Ethiopian Government has ever hosted. Many questioned the capacity of Ethiopia’s infrastructure to do this. But the pessimists were wrong! The roads look super busy, but traffic is flowing in spite of the heightened security arrangements. So far the FFD3 meeting arrangements (not just the plenary, but some 200 side events and many bilateral meetings) have all worked rather well. All we need now is that agreement!

Ethiopia is at a turning point in eradicating poverty and hopefully the outcome of FFD3 will contribute to its further progress. In the meantime, mastering the huge logistical challenge of hosting this event is a sign of how far the country has come already. There is obviously an opportunity to take on more such events in the future and introduce Ethiopia’s developmental strides to an even wider audience.