Minister Crucke visits VLIRUOS projects in Ethiopia during Africa Climate Summit
On 9 September 2025, Belgian Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition Jean-Luc Crucke visited Arba Minch University (AMU) in Ethiopia, alongside Ambassador H.E. Dr. Annelies Verstichel and a high-level delegation. The visit took place in the margins of the Africa Climate Summit and highlighted the impact of cooperation through VLIRUOS on research, community service, and ecosystem improvement.
Since 2015, AMU and Belgian universities have worked together through an Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) partnership coordinated by KU Leuven. This collaboration has strengthened AMU’s academic capacity and enabled it to address urgent ecological and social challenges in southern Ethiopia.
During his visit, Minister Crucke visited initiatives that link ecology and economy: land restoration projects that reduce erosion and flooding, the development of climate-resilient crops, wetland rehabilitation that supports biodiversity and fishing communities, innovative community-based forest restoration, and advanced ICT infrastructure for climate data analysis.
Ambassador Verstichel reflected on the added value of these efforts: academic cooperation is the way forward. It shows how applied science can strengthen communities, while knowledge remains rooted in Ethiopia – a sustainable way of contributing to global challenges.
The collaboration is not limited to higher education institutes. Partners such as BOS+ and Join for Water illustrate the Belgian and European approach, in which universities, NGOs and policymakers join forces.
Since 2017, 45 VLIRUOS projects have been carried out in Ethiopia, 25 of which are currently ongoing. In addition, 167 Ethiopian students have received scholarships to study at Flemish universities. These alumni often play a key role in research, education and policy development in their home country.
This partnership demonstrates how long-term academic collaboration delivers more than scientific knowledge: it generates local expertise, inspires the next generation, restores ecosystems, and strengthens livelihoods. The visit by Minister Crucke reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to international academic cooperation as a cornerstone of climate action and sustainable development.
