Jigjiga (Dawan Africa) – The Somali Regional State (SRS) of Ethiopia has approved a budget of 1,397,200,000 Birr — approximately $24.5 million USD — to implement projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, according to an official statement from the Regional Information Office.
The approval was made during a meeting of the SDG Projects Steering Committee, chaired by Deputy President Ibrahim Osman Farah. The session focused on reviewing past performance, approving the upcoming year’s operational plan, and allocating financial resources for the next phase of implementation.
According to the Information Office of SRS, the meeting included a comprehensive report delivered by Mohamed Fattah Mohamed, Minister of the Regional Irrigation Office. He presented the outcomes of SDG-related projects completed during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year, and proposed the SDGs Fund operational plan and budget for 2018 E.C.
The Information Office stated that the newly approved budget will fund development projects in key sectors, including access to clean water, agricultural productivity, infrastructure development, and essential livelihood services. These initiatives are designed to align with Ethiopia’s national development goals and the regional government's strategic priorities.
Deputy President Ibrahim Osman Farah emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional capacity and community participation to ensure effective implementation.
“Sustainable development is not merely a vision — it is a necessity for improving the quality of life and building the foundation of long-term stability,” he said.
The Regional Information Office noted that the approved budget is one of the largest single allocations the region has ever made for sustainable development investments.
