On the afternoon of 12 December 2019, a keynote speech on "China-Africa Sustainable Development Cooperation: Agricultural Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation" was hosted by the School of Public Policy & Management (SPPM), Tsinghua University, co-organized by TUSDG, supported by the China-Africa Leadership Development Institute (CALDI) of Tsinghua University. The event was successfully held in the Lecture Hall on the ground floor of the SPPM.

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), delivering a keynote speech, Teshome Toga, Ambassador of Ethiopia to China, Asaye Dejjenie, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Ethiopia in China, Andrew Cox, Chief Strategy Officer of the AGRA, Zhu Xufeng, Associate Dean of the SPPM of Tsinghua University and Executive Director of the TUSDG, Guo Xinning, Director of the SPPM of Tsinghua University, Xie Zeping, Secretary General of the CALDI at Tsinghua University, as well as hundreds of students from Tsinghua University.

The speaking event was hosted by Zhu Xufeng, who delivered a welcome speech. Zhu Xufeng firstly expressed his warm welcome to President Hailemariam and his delegation for their visit to SPPM. He then introduced the guests and teachers attending the event, as well as the development of SPPM and TUSDG, the organizers of the event.

Speech by Ambassador Teshome Toga

In his speech, Ambassador Teshome Toga thanked the SPPM for organizing the event and talked about his expectations for the relationship between China and Ethiopia, especially raising the hope that Tsinghua University can increase its cooperation with Ethiopia and help it cultivate more talents.

Speech by President Hailemariam

In the keynote speech, President Hailemariam elaborated on the importance of sustainable agriculture from the perspective of global climate change, and put forward his views on the future development of sustainable agriculture in Africa in the context of climate change. In addition, President Hailemariam also talked about his impression of China, and he was particularly amazed by China's poverty alleviation achievements. He believed that Ethiopia should learn from China and find a development path that suits its own situation to promote the rapid development of the country.

Speech by Secretary-General Xie Zheping

Then Xie Zheping, Secretary General of the CALDI, brought a special greeting: a letter from Getachew Engida, former Deputy Director-General of UNESCO and Co-Director of the CALDI at Tsinghua University, addressed to the President of Hailemariam.

Chaired by Prof Zhu Xufeng

Lively questions from students

During the Q&A session, the students were very enthusiastic, asking various questions on topics such as agricultural development and natural resources, climate change, China-Ethiopia relations, and China-Africa relations. The presentation programme was successfully concluded in a warm atmosphere.

Gift-giving sessions

Group photo of guests