PM Abiy Ahmed, Special Envoy of President Salva Kiir discuss bilateral, regional issues

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received Dr. Martin Elia Lemuro, Special Envoy of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, who came to deliver a message.

The discussions between the Prime Minister and the Special Envoy focused on bilateral and regional issues.

Ethiopia committed to cooperate with all nations guided by its national interests

Responding to queries raised from member of the parliament regarding nation’s diplomatic efforts, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), stated that Ethiopia aims to cooperate with all nations based on the principle of mutual giving and receiving.

The Prime Minister underscored, “As Africa’s power center, Ethiopia is dedicated to the continent’s development beyond its own interests. We will pursue our national interests while engaging with all sides.”

“Ethiopia doesn’t want to pose a threat to any nation; rather it will continue enhancing its role in addressing continental problems,” he noted.

The Prime Minister of Ethiopia emphasized the country’s commitment to strengthening its relationships with nations across the globe, guided by its national interests. He pointed to Ethiopia’s membership in the BRICS group as a vital opportunity for enhancing economic cooperation with fellow member countries.

The Prime Minister reiterated Ethiopia’s firm belief in the importance of gaining peaceful access to the sea, particularly to the Red Sea, affirming that the country’s approach aims to avoid conflict with neighboring nations. He stated that Ethiopia is focused on promoting peace and accelerating development while prioritizing regional cooperation and attracting foreign investment.

Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), he described that the saddle dam has been completed and expressed confidence that there are no issues concerning downstream countries. The Prime Minister pledged that Ethiopia would release water to Countries in the event of shortages, asserting that Ethiopia will not allow any threats to its sovereignty.

Ethiopia committed to regional integration and cooperation, President Taye assures

The FDRE President Taye Atske-Selassie reiterated Ethiopia’s support to the new chairperson of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi.

President Taye Atske-Selassie expressed his country’s support to the new chairperson of regional economic community while delivering his remarks at the 23rd COMESA Summit of Heads of State &Government in Bujumbura, Burundi.

He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and assured new COMESA Chairman, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, of Ethiopia’s unwavering support as he leads COMESA.

Addressing Africa’s value chain challenges, President Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s multi-sectoral reforms in agriculture and tourism, showcasing remarkable outcomes, including wheat self-sufficiency and the development of new tourism destinations.

The President also expressed his assurance that Ethiopia will remain fully committed to working closely with the COMESA Secretariat and all member states to foster deeper and broader regional integration and cooperation.

Embrace new technologies for digital collection methods for timely and relevant statistics, DPM Temesgen

Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh has challenged African policy makers to build robust data and statistical systems that support development.

Officially opening the 9th Statistical Commission this week, DPM Temesgen decried traditional statistical approaches, saying they were no longer relevant to meet new demands for data and statistics. Instead, he stated, “Africa must embrace new technologies and innovation in digital collection methods to ensure statistics are timely and relevant.”

“The world is changing, and Africa must be ready to ensure it participates in the digital economy,” said Mr. Tiruneh, noting that using geospatial data in decision- making was “critical to helping pinpoint where development was happening or lacking thereof.”

Speaking on behalf of the ECA Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, Mr. Chinganya said, “Africa must invest in the transformation and modernization of statistical systems to accelerate sustainable development and economic growth,” he told delegates at the Statistical Commission being held under the theme, ‘Unleashing the potential of African innovation in statistical Development’.

“The SDGs demand new data acquisition and integration approaches to improve the quality timeliness and disaggregation of data. Any national SDG implementation would be suboptimal without strategies and frameworks to integrate geospatial information into the measuring and reporting processes,” he added.

He stressed that quality data and statistics were key in enhancing Africa’s economic integration and the ability of the continent to formulate evidence-based trade, contributing to inclusive growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

“We will continue and building upon Ethiopia’s history of principled diplomacy” FM Gedion

New Foreign Minister Gedion Thimoteos reasserted the commitment of Ethiopia to continue and build upon the country’s history of principled diplomacy.

The 31st Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Gedion made a reception to Ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and international organizations residing in Addis Ababa.

During the occasion, the Foreign Minister told diplomats that Ethiopia is a proud African country with a long history of statehood and an ancient civilization.

“We will continue and build upon Ethiopia’s history of principled diplomacy. We will strengthen our longstanding partnerships and forge new ties.

As a country with a developing economy and a very young population, we have a lot to achieve in ensuring and sustaining economic growth and expanding opportunities. To tap into our growth potential, we will work with all our partners and friends,” FM Gedion noted.

Thus, Ethiopia will continue to give priority to the region as before its diplomatic legacy, he stated.

The FM also stressed “Ethiopia shall continue discharging its strategic responsibilities in the IGAD region.”

He added Ethiopia values its important role in the Nile River Basin and shall work with all countries of the basin to ensure that the mighty Nile is a source of prosperity and friendship for all riparian countries.

Similarly, the country has and attaches great importance to the developments in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, he elaborated.

Furthermore, he pointed out that keeping our historic commitment to multilateralism, Ethiopia will take concrete steps to contribute to the African Union’s initiatives intended to optimize its effectiveness as the premier institution for regional peace and security, and economic integration.

With 40 percent of its population under 15 years, Ethiopia can rightly be described as a young country, he stated, and noted “this we believe makes Ethiopia a nation of the future.”

The 21st century is a time for Africa to rise and take its rightful place in the world, he stated, and affirmed “we will exert the maximum effort possible to see the realization of Agenda 2063; the emergence of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.”

Members of the diplomatic corps extended their best wishes to Gedion in his new role and expressed their commitment to continue close collaboration with Ethiopia.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces preparations for African Union Summit

State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the AU Summit National Committee, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, led a discussion with representatives from over 30 institutions of the National Committee to review activities and preparations for the successful hosting of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union and the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council.

Ambassador Birtukan underscored the diplomatic importance of hosting the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlighting its role in strengthening multilateral relations across the continent.

Melaku Bedada, Director General of Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined strategies to ensure the summit’s success.

The 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly is scheduled for February 15-16, 2025, while the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council will take place from February 12-13, 2025, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ethiopian crowned as the ‘Best Overall in Africa’ at the 2025 APEX Passenger Choice Awards

Ethiopian Airlines announced that it has been crowned as the ‘Best Overall in Africa’ at the prestigious 2025 APEX Passenger Choice Awards.

The awards ceremony took place in Long Beach, California, on 28 October 2024.

The Airline asserted that this accolade underscores its outstanding performance across multiple categories; for ‘Best Cabin Service’, ‘Best Entertainment’, ‘Best Food and Beverage’, ‘Best Seat Comfort’ and ‘Best Wi-Fi’ in Africa.

Commenting on the accolade, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Mr. Mesfin Tassew said: “We are dedicated to providing an exceptional travel experience that encompasses the entire journey. Winning the APEX Best Overall in Africa Award once again validates our commitment to excellence. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our entire Ethiopian family, employees, passengers, and stakeholders for this shared success.”