Dr.Feleke Zewge,Director ACEWM in his welcoming remarks said “groundwater is the largest fresh water on earth. However, being stored under the ground in the sub-surface, it is often overlooked but it has a huge impact on the livelihood and the environment.”
He added that Ethiopia is highly dependent on groundwater resources and over 70% of the water supply comes from groundwater. However, only 50 to 60 % of the total population has access to an improved water supply. He noted that ACEWM is working to contribute its part through teaching and research, specialized training, and development projects highlighting the ongoing investigation of shallow groundwater and alternative sources for 3000 schools across Ethiopia, alcollabotarive project with Ministry of Education.

Dean of College of Natural and Computational Sciences Dr. Addisalem Abathun, in her opening remarks stated that groundwater is a vital resource providing almost half of all drinking water worldwide. “Groundwater is an important part of climate change adaption process and it is often a solution for people without access to safe water.” said Dr. Addisalem.
She also spoke about the role of higher education and research institutes in capacity-building initiatives in the area of groundwater. She noted “Our college has been conducting research development activities relevant to groundwater exposure, development, use, and management. Also, our academic staff is providing technical support to government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in areas of groundwater studies and development.”

Senior experts in Groundwater-related fields from the College of Natural and Computational Sciences of Addis Ababa University made presentations on pertinent issues in line with the World Water Day theme with an emphasis on major challenges and opportunities in the development and sustainable management of groundwater resources in Ethiopia.
In addition to the scientific presentations made, a panel discussion was held under the theme ‘Waking the sleeping giant: Groundwater’. Understanding the invisible groundwater resources in Ethiopia, Groundwater as a finite resource, Groundwater resources as an economic good were the main talking points guiding the panel discussion.