Launching the Netherlands–Ethiopia agri-biodiversity strategy: a new chapter in collaborative action

The strategy is designed to align Netherlands-supported initiatives with Ethiopia’s national priorities, including the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and the National Food Systems Pathway (NFSP). It is also informed by key international and bilateral commitments of both countries, alongside the Netherlands’ priorities on biodiversity, climate, and agri-food systems. By aligning the shared objectives of Ethiopia and the Netherlands in biodiversity conservation, food system transformation, and climate-resilient agriculture, the strategy creates a common foundation for joint action.

Based on desk review and analysis, expert consultations, and a multi-stakeholder validation workshop, three priority thematic areas were identified to guide the implementation of the strategy of the agriculture team.

• Sustainable agriculture will focus on climate-smart agriculture, nature-based solutions, soil health, and the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.

• Restoration of degraded land will concentrate on soil and water conservation, afforestation and restoration activities, and the promotion of agroforestry systems.

• Protected area systems will emphasize sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Across all three themes, implementation will be supported by six cross-cutting enablers to ensure integrated and lasting impact.

Biodiversity initiatives supported by the team: progress and future directions

During the session, Netherlands-supported initiatives in Ethiopia, including those currently underway and others in the pipeline, were showcased to illustrate how biodiversity considerations are currently being addressed and aligned with the developed strategy. These included TRAIDE Ethiopia’s cocoa value chain development, wetlands restoration efforts by SHER Ethiopia and partners, biodiversity mainstreaming initiatives by the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, and land restoration through church forests led by ORDA.

For example, it was shown that the LAN-Addis team in close collaboration with the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), through the Climate and Energy Response Facility (CERF), will advance an initiative to mainstream biodiversity across Ethiopia’s Agriculture sector. The overall goal of the initiative is to foster cross-organizational understanding and commitment to integrate biodiversity considerations into planning and implementation with the end goal of developing a practical, sector-focused implementation plan for mainstreaming biodiversity across Ethiopia’s Agriculture sector. Partnerships such as this address the majority of the themes identified in the strategy and also reinforce the three cross-cutting enablers that underpin its implementation.

The event concluded with a handover ceremony in which the Counsellor for Agriculture and Nature, Alwin Quispel, formally presented the strategy document to representatives from government, the private sector, research institution, and civil society, symbolizing the “Dutch Diamond” approach. The ceremony highlighted the importance of these different actors working closely together. It underscored that successful implementation of the strategy will depend on strong collaboration and partnership among all parties. In his remarks, the Counsellor emphasized that the strategy should serve as a shared framework to help align the efforts of the agriculture team and its partners, and he invited participants to reach out and engage with the team wherever the strategy offers opportunities for collaboration.

Please find the strategy document here.

Stay tuned! we’ll be sharing more updates soon.

More information

You can reach out to the LAN team in Addis for more information or questions via ADD-LVVN@minbuza.nl