President Taye Atske-Selassie stated that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is designed to meet Ethiopia’s energy demand, which is currently increasing by over 20% annually.

He announced the implementation of the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework and revealed that the Nile River Basin Commission, established in Entebbe, will soon begin its operations, calling this a significant achievement of cooperation among basin countries.

The president highlighted that GERD will significantly boost the country’s renewable energy capacity and open a new chapter for Ethiopia.

With a generation capacity exceeding 5,000 megawatts, the GERD demonstrates Ethiopia's commitment to delivering clean energy for all.

He stressed that the dam’s true significance lies in the improved lives of Ethiopians, projecting that it will provide light to 60 million Ethiopians currently without access to any clean power.

President Taye described the GERD as a symbol of freedom for millions of Ethiopian women and girls by relieving them of the labor of collecting firewood.

"The dam will play a major role in achieving all Sustainable Development Goals," he asserted, adding, "It enhances our capacity to provide clean water to our population living in chronic scarcity, create job opportunities for our youth, and ensure food security."

The president also emphasized the GERD's role in boosting regional connectivity, concluding that the "immense support and solidarity we received during the inauguration is an indication of the strong desire for cooperation among the Nile River Basin countries."