A panel discussion was held where it was emphasized that development should be continued in harmony with biodiversity conservation to ensure sustainability. The discussion, organized by the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute on International Biodiversity Day, highlighted the need for conserving and maintaining Ethiopia’s biodiversity resources in a sustainable manner.

Dr. Karta Kaske, Director General of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, opened the panel discussion and emphasized the importance of national programs like the Green Belt in biodiversity conservation. He also mentioned the recent approval by the Council of Ministers of an ecosystem services payment system, which will further support conservation efforts.

The panelists discussed how climate change and invasive alien species are contributing to biodiversity loss. They stressed the importance of enhancing the contribution of resources to production, productivity, food security, ecotourism, and other development sectors by protecting them from destruction.