As we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and World Food Day 2025, our collective focus turns to the powerful themes of dignity, family, and resilience. The global call to action—”Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families”—finds a strong echo in Eritrea’s national context: “Empowering Communities through Climate Action and Food Security Initiatives.”
This alignment is no coincidence. It reflects a profound understanding that climate resilience and food sovereignty pave the path to prosperity for every Eritrean family. When a family’s harvest is secure, its dignity is affirmed, and its future is unlocked.
Eritrea’s journey stands as robust evidence of this principle. The nation has demonstrated strong leadership by investing in the bedrock of sustainability: climate-change adaptation infrastructure and community empowerment. The extensive network of dams, the vast terraces for soil conservation, and the millions of trees planted are not merely projects – they are a national shield against the impacts of climate change. These efforts, supported by the Government and embraced by communities, are actively restoring ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods, and securing food for future generations.
At the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), we are proud to collaborate with the Government and people of Eritrea as we advance this shared journey. Our partnership is strategically aligned with national aspirations and priorities and grounded in the principle of self-reliance. We see our role as a catalyst, supporting initiatives that directly place the tools of prosperity into the hands of Eritrean communities — especially women and youth, whose energy and innovation drive transformation.
This partnership is already yielding tangible results. Modernizing the Date Palm Sector has created rural jobs and boosted household incomes through improved technologies and market access. More recently, the Ministry of Agriculture launched a new initiative promoting climate-resilient agriculture in the Zobas of Maekel, Anseba, and Gash Barka. This project will introduce modern irrigation systems and climate-smart technologies to more than 4,600 farmers. The benefits are multifaceted: increased productivity, enhanced ecosystem health, and a significant reduction in the physical burden on women farmers, thus freeing their time and energy for education, entrepreneurship, and leadership in community life. This is what adequate support for families looks like in practice.
While we celebrate this progress, we must also recognize that eradicating poverty is not a single milestone but an ongoing journey. The rapidly evolving challenges of a changing climate remind us that our collaboration must be relentless, and our commitment unwavering.
Progress in poverty reduction and climate resilience is never final. It demands persistence and shared responsibility. UNDP remains committed to walking this path with Eritrea, supporting national initiatives that place communities, women, and families at the heart of development. The progress achieved, from water conservation to household empowerment, demonstrates that meaningful transformation is within reach when national vision is combined with community action.