Addis Ababa: The Development Partners Group Heads of Agency have discussed the National Demobilization and Reintegration Program (NDRP) and the socio-economic situation in Ethiopia today. The meeting was chaired by Finance State Minister Semereta Sewasew and the two Development Partners Group (DPG) Co-chairs, Ramiz Alkabarov, United Nations Resident Coordinator; and Paul Walters, UK Development Director. Acknowledging the development partners commitment and active engagement in the support of the Government of Ethiopia in its endeavor to stabilize the economy and sustain peace in the country, the state minister recalled the importance of the Pretoria peace agreement. The two DPG co-chairs underscored the need to expedite the implementation of the agreement to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country, according to Ministry of Finance. National Demobilization and Reintegration Program (NDRP) Commissioner, Teshome Toga, presented on the occasion a framework the Government of Ethiopia has been workin g on with the support of development partners and other stakeholders. He pointed out that disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) program aims to answer with the main objective of enhancing human security and consolidating peace through sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life in Ethiopia. The DPG co-chairs expressed their commitment to extend support to the government in its effort to stabilize the country's economy for sustainable livelihood of the public in general and conflict and climate change population in particular. Meanwhile, the meeting endorsed membership of Czech Republic to the Development Partners Group. In her conclusion remarks, Finance State Minister Semereta Sewasew underlined that the government would continue to pursue the reform agenda designed with the aim of building resilient green economy in the country with particular attention to the most vulnerable people in the country with the continued support of development partners Source: Ethiopian New s Agency Tobacco consumption is high in Tunisia among men, in particular. Around half of men are smokers (49.8% against 49.4% in 2018), a 2023 cluster-sampling survey with multiple indicators titled the "Situation of Mothers and Children in Tunisia" showed. More than the half (53.2%) smoked over 20 cigarettes in the 24 hours before the survey, findings outlined Monday also showed. There are variations between urban areas (52.3%) and the rural environment (44.8%). This rate diminishes according to the level of education and economic well being. It drops from 50.4% for uneducated men to 44.4% for men with a university degree. The rate is 48.3% for men in rich households and 46.2% for those from poorer households. Tobacco consumption varies according to the age, standing at 16.5% for the 15-19 age bracket (22.4% in 2018), 26.6% for the 18-19 age group (32.8% in 2018) and 49.9% for youth aged 20 to 24 (44% in 2018). The highest rate was reported in the 35-39 age bracket (47.5% in 2018). Geographic breakdown demonstra tes the highest rate was reported in the Greater Tunis (56.2%), while the southeast recorded the lowest smoking rate (40.3%). Smoking is one of a preventable cause of illness and death in the world, the survey revealed. According to the survey, 49.8% of men never smoked or used a Tobacco product against 97.4% of women. This proportion of non-smokers is higher in the 40-44 age bracket (40%). 11.2% of boys smoked a whole cigarette before turning 15. Smoking prevalence among women is low, standing at 1.9% (1.7% in 2018). It is 2.8% in urban areas against 0% in the rural environment. Cigarette smoking among 15 to 19-year-old girls is estimated at 0.8% Economic wellbeing and the level of education are likewise determining factors with 4.1% of women from the richest households against 0.3% for the poorest. Survey findings show 0.9% of uneducated women are smoking, while 2.5% of women who pursued secondary school studies and 1.8% of those who went to university took up smoking. The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Statistics, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Planning and with the technical and financial support of the UNICEF and the funding of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the development bank of Germany KfW. Respondents are 11,000 households across the country, including 7,326 in urban areas and 3,674 in the rural environment with a response rate of 90%. Some 138 indicators on the situation of mothers and children were updated, including 34 in relation to SDGs. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse