This week, CoST Board Civil Society Representative, Eyasu Yimer took part in sessions at the inaugural East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo and Summit in Ethiopia. Participating in a session on sustainable infrastructure, and moderating a session on community engagement, Eyasu showcased CoST’s work and impact in these areas. 

The event was dedicated to advancing sustainable infrastructure and water resource management. The key themes were Sustainable Infrastructure, Water Scarcity and Management, Financing and Investment, Climate and Resilience and Innovation and Technology, aligning to areas that CoST and its team have key expertise in. The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders and innovators for knowledge sharing.

During Thursday’s discussion on Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Social & Economic Development, Eyasu highlighted: 

• How CoST’s new climate finance and sustainability data points supports sustainable infrastructure and is starting to be applied by members such as CoST Uganda, CoST Kaduna in Nigeria and CoST Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly in Ghana
• The pivotal role of the private sector in infrastructure, the benefits of increased infrastructure transparency for the private sector, and CoST’s work in providing a platform for the private sector to learn from each other 
• The work of members such as Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and Uganda in driving social inclusion including in disability access, education, health facilities, supporting employment opportunities for women and water infrastructure.

As moderator on today’s Community Engagement and Empowerment session, Eyasu: 

• Discussed CoST’s work on community engagement at different levels through multi-stakeholder groups, through organising community meetings and training people, from multi-laterals to local businesses, to improve infrastructure processes
• Explored examples of community engagement, the role of community engagement in gender-inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure with the panellists.
• Welcomed questions and comments from the audience on how community involvement can create lasting impact in infrastructure 

Eyasu Yimer has 23 years of experience in Ethiopia’s Government offices, and has worked in Civil Society Organisations for over 17 years. Speakers from across the sessions included Mr Louis-Antoine Souchet, Country Director for Ethiopia, Agence française de développement (AFD) Groupe; Ms Watetu Gachoki, Urban planner and sustainability expert, Eliye Consults; Mrs Samrawit Yohannes Yoseph, Urban Development Professional; Mrs Tinebeb Yohannes Gelassie, Research Associate, African Women in Water and Climate; Ms Bezawit Eshetu Gizaw, Chapter lead, Ethiopia, African Circular Economy Network.