Ethiopia

The Institute of Biodiversity Conservation celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity in two phases. The first was a field trip to the birthplace of coffee in the southern part of Ethiopia at the Choche in situ conservation site, some 350 kilometers from the capital city Addis Ababa. There was a celebration with the coffee farming community, the regional agricultural and government officers and concerned individuals. Almost all the Institute staff, the local communities and the local authorities participated in this event.

The second event was held on May 22, 2007 in the hall of the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, under the main theme “Biodiversity and Climate Change,” with the participation of high level officials. The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia officially opened the celebration. Oxfam America, UNEP and the Centre for Development Research of Bonn University provided financial support to this event.