p.CHP~ PR Human Rights our Collective Responsibility Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation 299/2002, an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) approved by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Agency was necessary for holding consultations on the two projects. The Complainants contended that the requisite ESIA for the Gibe III dam was undertaken two years after construction began, while no assessment was undertaken for the Kuraz or, if at all, that that information relating thereto was never made public. The Complainants submitted that construction of the dam started in 2006 before environmental approval was received two years later in 2008. 242. In response, the Respondent State submitted that Ethiopia is recognized to have achieved inclusive growth and, as of 2015, was on track to meet most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).The Respondent State also emphasized that Ethiopia remained one of the continent's most vulnerable countries. The Respondent State highlighted that it was in response to the food insecurity faced by over seven million people and the dependence by most ofits citizens on rainfed agriculture amidst increasing draught, that it launched the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP). The Respondent State contends that the GTP places emphasis on ensuring effective public participation in implementation and monitoring of the Plan. The Respondent State also submitted that the ClimateResilient Green Economy Strategy is also integrated into the GTP. 243. The Respondent State also submitted that one important green resource identified in the Climate-Resilient Green Economy Strategy that will help the country reach its energy goal is hydroelectric power. The Respondent State contends that prior to the construction of the Gibe III dam, the country generated only 2000MW of electric power for a nation of almost 90 million inhabitants. The Respondent State submitted that the rural parts of the nation where most Ethiopians live, only a few households have access to electricity. As such, the Respondent State contends that it would be shirking from its responsibility if it fails to exploit its abundant hydroelectric power resources to achieve poverty eradication. An Organ of !he Africant~>~l Union ~~i/, 53