The 5th JCC Meeting Held

The 5th JCC (Joint Coordinating Committee) Meeting of the SATREPS-EARTH Project was held on March 13, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This was the first JCC meeting of the project to be held in person. A total of 24 participants, including researchers from participating research institutions in Japan and Ethiopia, as well as representatives from JICA, attended the meeting to review the project's progress and discuss future plans.

The meeting opened with remarks from Prof. KANDACHI Koichi (Vice President, Soka University), Mr. YAKUSHI Hiroyuki (Chief Representative, JICA Ethiopia Office), and Dr. Mitiku Damtie (Scientific Director, Bahir Dar University). This was followed by progress reports from Prof. SATO (Project Leader; Soka University), the Theme Leaders, and Prof. Solomon (Project Manager; Bahir Dar University). Prof. SATO also presented plans for the remainder of the project period and activities beyond the project's completion. Following discussion, the participants approved the proposed plans. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Gardachew Worku (President, Injibara University) and Prof. SATO.

During the meeting, a policy recommendation document on water hyacinth management in Lake Tana, developed under Theme 1, was submitted to the Amhara Regional Government.

The meeting was followed by a poster session featuring research presentations from 14 participants, including graduate students from both Japan and Ethiopia.