Still, their legacy continues to pose a serious threat to human health and the environment—especially in countries like Ethiopia, where older electrical infrastructure remains in use.A national inventory identified 2,435 PCB-containing transformers, with 92% (2,242 units) still in active use in Ethiopia. These transformers contain over one million kilograms of PCB-laden dielectric fluid, much of which is located in densely populated urban areas, thereby heightening the risk of contamination and exposure.The country’s PCB challenge stems largely from decades of inadequate management of obsolete electrical equipment and the absence of proper regulatory and disposal systems. Addressing this required coordinated national action—and strong global support.What are PCBs?PCBs are synthetic oily or waxy chemicals widely used in electrical equipment such as transformers, as well as in insulation materials and cooling systems. Although banned globally due to their extreme toxicity and persistence, PCBs continue to linger in the environment.As persistent organic pollutants, PCBs accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms. They move up the food chain and can cause long-term damage to the immune, reproductive, and nervous systems in both humans and wildlife. Today, the most common sources of PCB exposure are older electrical appliances that remain in operation.Ethiopia’s Commitment to Eliminating PCBs : Strengthening SystemsRecognizing the serious public health and environmental risks, Ethiopia signed the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on May 17, 2002, and ratified it shortly thereafter. As a Party to the Convention, Ethiopia committed to eliminating the use of PCBs by December 2025.To help Ethiopia meet its obligations under the Stockholm Convention, UNDP designed and implemented a PCB Management in Ethiopia – Phase I Project, running from 2019 to 2025. The project was financed with US$ 2.14 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), complemented with co-financing through $ 150,000 from UNDP 's #PartnersAtCore.Through this partnership, Ethiopia has achieved several major milestones:·       Strengthened national legislation and regulatory frameworks.·       Completion of a comprehensive National PCB Inventory. For the first time, Ethiopia has a full picture of the scale and distribution of PCB-containing equipment.·       Development of a National PCB Database.·       Preparation of National and Facility-Level PCB Management Plans.·       Establishment of a PCB Tracking System.·        Capacity building across institutions, with technical, managerial, and enforcement capacities significantly strengthened among government agencies and facility operators.Safe disposal of PCB wasteDespite global shipping disruptions, Ethiopia has successfully transported 45 tones of PCB-contaminated waste to Spain, where it has now been safely received and destroyed at specialized hazardous-waste disposal facilities. The exercise was done in accordance with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and implemented by the European Union and Spanish regulations. The Road to 2028Eliminating the use of PCBs by December 2025 is a major milestone, but the work does not end there.The Stockholm Convention requires all Parties to ensure the environmentally sound management and final disposal of all remaining PCB liquids and contaminated equipment by 31 December 2028.This next phase will require:•            Proper collection of all PCB-containing materials •            Safe and compliant transport•            Secure interim storage in Ethiopia•            Environmentally sound treatment in Ethiopia•            Final disposal by Spain in line with globally accepted best practicesEthiopia has laid a strong foundation for meeting the 2028 obligation, which calls for the country to ensure final disposal of all remaining PCB liquids and contaminated equipment by December 2028.  UNDP Climate The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockh

The Sidama Region of Ethiopia has launched the AgriConnect Digital Agri-Business Hub, unlocking new opportunities for farmers, youth and women entrepreneurs to access real-time market information, digital advisory services, improved technologies, and stronger value-chain linkages, advancing productivity, competitiveness, and decent work across the region’s growing agribusiness sector.The Hub was jointly launched by H.E. Desta Ledamo, President of the Sidama Region, the ILO Country Director, and regional partners in collaboration with the ILO ProAgro Project, the Sidama Development Association (SDA), the Bureau of Agriculture, and the Jobs, Skills and Enterprise Development Bureau (JSEDB). The initiative forms part of a regional commitment to improve market access, drive digital transformation, and empower agripreneurs across key value chains including poultry, horticulture, and avocado.A digital platform to strengthen agribusiness and expand decent workThe new Hub combines digital tools, technical services, and enterprise support to connect farmers, SMEs, cooperatives, and service providers to real-time information and essential resources. It will offer agricultural and market data, digital advisory support, business development services, and linkages with research institutions, buyers, and input suppliers.Highlighting the regional government’s commitment to advancing digital agriculture, H.E. Desta Ledamo, President of the Sidama Region, emphasized the transformative role of the new centre. He stated: “Modernizing our agriculture requires timely information, strong market access, and improved productivity. This digital information hub plays a vital role in achieving these goals and expanding opportunities for our farmers.” “The Hub is not just a physical space — it is a collaborative platform designed to connect people, ideas, and resources,” said Khumbula Ndaba, ILO Country Director for Ethiopia Djibouti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. “It will strengthen agribusiness value chains, provide access to digital technologies and real-time agricultural data, and enhance market linkages and business development services for thousands of producers and enterprises.” Innovation exhibition showcases market-ready solutionsHeld alongside the inauguration, the Sidama Agricultural Innovation Exhibition 2025 brought together more than 25 innovators, agritech firms, SMEs, cooperatives, universities, research institutes, and financial institutions. Exhibitors showcased solutions such as water-saving irrigation technologies, digital advisory tools, improved seedling systems, poultry innovations, post-harvest management tools, and market linkage models.The exhibition created a platform for farmers, youth-led and women-led enterprises, and private-sector innovators to connect through demonstrations and business-to-business sessions aimed at accelerating the adoption of promising agricultural technologies.Addressing ecosystem gaps and strengthening coordinationThe Hub responds to key gaps identified in an ILO-led entrepreneurship ecosystem assessment in Sidama, which revealed constraints such as fragmented market linkages, limited financial access, low technology uptake, and high input costs. By uniting services under one coordinated platform, AgriConnect aims to strengthen agribusiness competitiveness and support sustainable enterprise growth.Speaking on behalf of the private sector and employers’ community, Dr. Dawit Moges, First Vice President of CEEA, underscored the importance of the initiative for both agricultural transformation and job creation. He noted: “This new Agri-hub will serve as a practical engine for transformation. When technology enters the farm, productivity increases and new opportunities emerge. Digital agriculture creates roles for technicians, drone operators, service providers, and agritech entrepreneurs, giving young people dignified pathways into the economy.” He added that innovation, training, enterprise support, and digital services brought together under one roof would help farmers and cooperatives improve yields, reduce losses, and compete in local and international markets.As part of the programme, high-level officials, development partners, and technical delegates conducted a field visit to youth-led agribusiness groups in Yirgalem, including a seedling production enterprise and a growing poultry producers’ cooperative. Participants observed firsthand how improved technologies, advisory services, and market linkages supported through the ProAgro project are strengthening early-stage businesses. The visit highlighted practical examples of how digital tools, access to quality inputs, and coordinated ecosystem support are helping young entrepreneurs expand production, reduce losses, and create sustainable jobs within their communities.Looking ahead: Building a more inclusive and technology-driven futureThe launch of the Digital Agri-Business Hub marks a new step in scaling impact, strengthening value chains, and accelerating job creation. The two-day programme continues with field visits to youth-led agribusiness groups in Yirgalem, offering participants firsthand insights into the innovations driving transformation on the ground. SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic 

On 2 December 2025, UNAIDS Ethiopia, in partnership with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and other UN agencies, commemorated World AIDS Day under the theme “Overcoming Disruptions, Transforming the AIDS Response” and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the theme “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”The event celebrated progress in the HIV response while emphasizing the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of persons with disabilities. It provided a platform for reflection, dialogue, and collaboration to address challenges at the intersection of HIV and disability.A panel discussion brought together UN partners, the Ministry of Health, and representatives from communities of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Panelists highlighted the critical need for robust data, inclusive planning, and meaningful community engagement to ensure that programs and policies truly reach those most affected.‘Communities are not merely beneficiaries’ “From a community perspective, the event was timely and highly relevant, especially given the shrinking HIV funding landscape. It created an important space to acknowledge the reality on the ground, where funding reductions are already causing service disruptions, increasing vulnerability, and creating uncertainty for people living with and affected by HIV,” says Kassahun Tadesse, Chief Executive Director, Network of Networks of HIV Positive in Ethiopia (NEP+) .The discussion underscored that communities are not merely beneficiaries but essential implementers. Inclusivity was another key takeaway, emphasizing the need to ensure meaningful engagement of PLHIV, key populations, women, and young people - including HIV-positive persons with disabilities—in funding decisions, priority setting, and transition planning.“Community voices must be involved early and continuously, rather than only consulted after decisions are made,” says Kassahun.‘Inclusion is a fundamental human right’Musie Tilahun, Executive Director, Ethiopian Lawyers with Disabilities Association (ELDA), says, “inclusion is a fundamental human right, not charity. Persons with disabilities are innovators, leaders, and catalysts for change. Yet millions continue to face barriers in education, employment, health, technology, and justice, preventing them from reaching their full potential.” “Governments, the private sector, civil society, and United Nations agencies must act decisively and collectively to remove these barriers. Building inclusive societies is not only a moral obligation but a global necessity to advance equitable progress, shared prosperity, and the full realization of human potential for all.”

Each year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds the world that inclusion is essential for equitable and sustainable development. The 2025 global theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” calls on governments, institutions, and communities to create systems where children and adults with disabilities can fully participate and reach their potential.For me, this message is both global and deeply personal. I became a person with a hearing disability at 16, just as I entered Grade 9. The transition was sudden and life changing. I was fortunate to have supportive teachers and friends who cared about my wellbeing. Their encouragement kept me connected to school and community. Yet despite this support, I faced significant barriers. I had no access to sign language or interpretation services, making it difficult to follow lessons, participate actively, and progress academically.This experience reflects the reality of many Deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Ethiopia today. Although Ethiopia ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2010, inclusive education and communication support remain limited. Sign language is still not consistently integrated into schools, public services, or community structures. As a result, the full participation of children with hearing disabilities is often restricted, not because of their disability, but because environments are not yet inclusive.Learning Ethiopian Sign Language (EthSL) later in life transformed my experience. It allowed me to reclaim communication, regain confidence, and pursue my goals with greater independence. Today, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, am pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at Addis Ababa University, and have worked for more than three years as a Disability Inclusion Officer at UNICEF Ethiopia. My journey demonstrates the power of accessible systems and the impact of investing in inclusive communication.At UNICEF Ethiopia, disability inclusion is a priority across social protection, child protection, education, and other programmes. We work with government, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and communities to strengthen policies, build evidence, and promote environments where all children can learn, be protected, and thrive.UNICEF also models inclusion internally. As an employee with a disability, I receive reasonable accommodations such as sign language interpretation and speech-to-text support, enabling me to contribute effectively and equitably. This inclusive workplace stands in stark contrast to my earlier experiences in school, where communication barriers limited my participation. It reinforces a simple truth: accessible classrooms and workplaces empower individuals to succeed.As a Deaf woman and advocate, I believe disability inclusion is not optional. It is a matter of rights, dignity, and equal opportunity. When societies invest in accessible communication, embrace sign language, and create systems that welcome every child, they build stronger and more resilient communities.On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering disability-inclusive societies. Together, we can ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind but supported to learn, participate, and reach their full potential.By Rediet Tariku