Samara, Ethiopia – On May 25, 2024, the Ruftana International Hotel in Samara buzzed with activity as distinguished economists, policymakers, and academics gathered for the First Annual Conference on the Afar Region Economic Development. This significant event, themed “The Economic Cost of Conflict and Options for Recovery,” was co-organized by the Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), and Samara University.
Prof. Mengistu Ketema, CEO of EEA, delivered the opening welcome remarks, followed by Hamid Duula, Head of the Planning and Development Bureau, who also extended a warm welcome to the participants. Susanne Stollreiter, the Country Representative of FES Ethiopia, conveyed a message from FES, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts for the region’s development and sustainable peacebuilding.
Dr. Abdurahman Kedir, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Samara University, provided an insightful opening speech, highlighting the critical role of academic and research institutions in fostering regional economic growth and recovery.
The morning session featured a robust panel discussion on “The Economic Cost of Conflict and Options for Economic Recovery,” moderated by Dr. Abule Mehare, Director for Partnership and Communication at the EEA. The panel included Dr. Yonas Adaye, Commissioner of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission; Nuradin Mohammed, Head of the Afar Region Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Fund Office; and Fatuma Mohammed, Head of the Afar Regional State Women and Social Affairs. The discussion provided valuable insights into the multifaceted impacts of conflict and potential strategies for economic recovery.
Following a brief tea and coffee break, participants reconvened for an engaging discussion session. This session offered a platform for attendees to share ideas, pose questions, and explore collaborative opportunities to address the economic challenges faced by the Afar region and beyond.
The conference marked a pivotal step in addressing the economic repercussions of conflict and exploring viable recovery options for the Afar region. The collaborative spirit and insightful discussions underscored the importance of unity, a holistic approach to recovery, active participation of grassroots organizations, ensuring proactive engagement of women and the youth, capitalizing on the rich indigenous knowledge of the society in avoiding conflict and support sustained economic recovery and in fostering sustainable economic development.
