The State Minister, Dr. Abera Deressa said the species are the greatest threats which endanger people's livelihood systems including food production, medication, renewable energy resources, living environment and ecosystems.

He made the statement while speaking at the second annual workshop of the four participating countries to the United Nations Environment Program, (UNEP) and Global Environment Fund (GEF) project Removing Barriers to Invasive Plant Management in Africa held here on Monday.

The impact of invasive alien species is seriously affecting economies and ecologies of developing countries.

The invasion of invasive alien plant species also causes a high level of disorder on Ethiopia’s environment and the economy, he said.

National coordinator of Removing Barriers to Invasive Plant Management project, Rezene Fishaye on his part said alien plant species are causing a serious damage on various parts of the country.

Parthenium weed and Histrocrus are among the most common invasive alien plant species affecting Ethiopia.

He said public mobilization works are being carried out to curb the alien plant species.

Some 10 million USD was earmarked to execute the project which is being implemented in Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia.

R-11:56-12:45

E- 5:26

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