22.09.2023
Ethiopia at the 78th UN General Assembly
Ethiopia Participates at the G77 +China Summit in Havana
First Annual Regional Conference on Red Sea Dynamics Held in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia to Benefit from Microsoft’s Africa New Digital Development Programme
News in Brief
Africa and the African Union
On 19 September, on the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York, the African Union and the African Handicrafts and Cultural House Association (hereinafter referred to as “African Culture House”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cross-cultural understanding and strengthen the bridges of friendship between Türkiye and Africa.
The African Union Commission together with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the African Business Council (AfBC), the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, on 22 September, organised High-Level Side Event on Positioning Africa’s Industrial Skills Development, Deployment and Retentionon the sidelines of UNGA 78.
AU institutions, Education Partners, Member States and Organisations who are coordinating the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25) Clusters, and members of CESA Thematic Clusters convened a Consultative Meeting on Education as AU Theme for 2024 And CESA Inter-Clusters Coordination Meeting on Tuesday (19 September).
Over the course of the week, AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat held discussions with Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of International Crisis Group; Dr John Nkengasong U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy; Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN and; Ambassador Johnnie Carson, US Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit Implementation.
Chairperson Mahamat also participated in the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) that was being held under the theme Unstoppable Africa 21-22 September 2023 on the margins on UNGA 78.
Ethiopia
On Monday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his gratitude to fellow Ethiopians for their strong and resilient hands to continue making history with regards to the Green Legacy Initiative, which at this year’s completion season, achieved more than the intended target and ended up collectively planting 7.5 billion saplings nationwide.
A high-level delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen took part in a High-level Political Summit on Sustainable Development Goals as part of UNGA 78.
On the margins of UNGA 78, DPM and FM Demeke conferred, among others, with his Italian and counterparts, Antonio Tajani; Croatian and Irish foreign ministers, Gordan Grlić-Radman and Micheál Martin, respectively; UNGA 78 President, Dennis Francis and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres; Commissioner of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Filippo Grande; Mark Suzman, Chief Executive Officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the European Union Commissioner for International Partnership, Jutta Urpilainen and the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Gerd Muller; Andrew Mitchell, the UK’s Minister for Development and Africa, on scaling up cooperations (See Article).
During an informal consultative meeting organized by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the margins of UNGA 78, DPM and FM Demeke, called for a fair representation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and stressed the fact that UNSC reform is long overdue.
During the Group 77+China Summit in Havana, Cuba, the DPM and FM met with Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina J Smith on 16 September, on the margins of the meeting.
On Thursday (21 September), Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Mola held productive discussion with Microsoft senior leadership, on the sidelines of UNGA 78, about technology collaboration, and philanthropy intersect for the mutual benefit between Ethiopia and Microsoft (See Article).
A delegation led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, also on 19 September met with Canadian Chief Air Negotiator, Shendra Melia and discussed increasing Ethiopian Airlines flight frequency to the North American country.
On 17 September, the Gedeo Cultural Landscape was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The inscription, among other things, signifies the global diplomatic recognition for Ethiopia’s commitment to preserving natural and cultural heritages. Similarly, opn 18 September, the Bale Mountains National Park, during 45th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 1st Annual Regional Consultative Forum on “Red Sea Security Dynamics: the need for Regional Cooperation in a time of Entanglement“, on 21 September at Sheraton Addis Hotel, Addis Ababa. The forum is co-hosted by Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) and FDRE Defence War College (See Article).
A monument commemorating former Foreign Minister Blatten Geta Herouy Welde Selassie was inaugurated at the Holy at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa on Tuesday (19 September).
Eritrea
Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed remarked at the High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response 20 September 2023, New York that Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and other global threats such as anti-microbial resistance, global warming and climate change, present a serious socio-economic global challenge.
At the ongoing 54th session of the Human Rights Council, the Eritrean delegation tabled a detailed submission on Agenda Item 4: Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts.
Djibouti
Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, on 20 September and on the sidelines of UNGA 78 met with his Latvian counterpart Krišjānis Kariņš and discussed the fragile security situation in Sudan and the Horn of Africa, which is affected by both military conflicts and climate change, and the food insecurity crisis.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III is scheduled to travel to Djibouti, Kenya, and Angola from September 23-28, 2023.
Somalia
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Thursday (21 September) met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on the margins of UNGA 78 in New York and discussed reinforcing ties between Somalia and Saudi Arabia on common interests.
On Saturday (16 September) Somalia launched a new national identity card system to establish a central data base of unique numbers for its nationals, in an augural event presided over by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also received his national identity card while in Dusamareb town in Central Somalia.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Sunday (17 September) commenced the second phase of troop drawdown from Somalia with the handing over of Bio Cadale Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Hir Shabelle State.
South Sudan
President Salva Kiir, 21 September, addressed UNGA 78, in which, he expressed his country’s commitment “to global efforts aimed at addressing challenges that “we face as a human family”.
The President also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday (20 September), discussed ways of enhancing strengthen ties and boosting cooperation in innovation, agriculture, food security and water, on the margins of UNGA 78.
President Kiir and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, on 19 September, discussed the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement (RARCSS) and the 2022 Roadmap.
The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Pal May Deng, with his Egyptian counterpart, Hani Sweilam, on 18 September held a meeting of the joint technical committee. The committee was formed under the Technical and Development Cooperation Agreement, which the two countries signed in November 2014.
The 13th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), in collaboration with the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan, on Thursday, concluded the task of destroying large quantities of expired ammunition recently in Wau and Kuajok barracks after more than one month of efforts.
On 20 September, the Government launched an eservice platform for citizens, foreign residents and foreign visitors to South Sudan that boasts of providing government services in a simple, secure and convenient way.
Kenya
On 21 September, President William Samoei Ruto addressed UNGA 78. On the sidelines of the meeting, the President met, among others, with Kazakh, Portuguese counterparts and Canadian and Barbadian Prime Ministers and discussed issues of mutual interest. He also met with US State Secretary Antony J. Blinken and discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
President Ruto also attended a meeting of the Committee of Africa Heads of State on Climate Change at the African Union Mission in New York, United States.
On Thursday, Kenyans commemorated the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attach by Al-Shabaab militants on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, an ordeal that claimed more than 60 people.
On the margins of UNGA 78 in New York, on Friday (22 September), Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Alfred Mutua represented President Ruto at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) Ad hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, with Caribbean Partners, that had been convened and chaired by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Kenya, 19 September, signed a USD 60 million Kenya threshold program agreement designed to improve urban connectivity and promote economic growth in Kenya.
CS Mutua also conferred with Foreign Ministers of Ghana and Grenada on shared interests, on the sidelines of UNGA 78. The CS
21 September, CS Mutua participated at the 13th Ministerial Meeting of Global Counterterrorism Forum convened on the margins of the UNGA 78 at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA.
Sudan
President of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan, on 21 September, addressed UNGA 78 and said that the Sudanese people have been facing a devastating war since April this year.
On the margins of the Assembly, al-Burhan met with US Assistant State Secretary Molly Phee and discussed the current situation in the country.
The AU, on 20 September, issued a press release in which it stated, as hostilities and ethnic violence spread, the humanitarian crisis threatens to consume the entire country, while Sudan’s neighbours face a rising influx of refugees and returnees.
On Thursday (21 September), the United Nations summoned the governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar, as well as the European Union and the African Union, calling for increased support for humanitarian action as Sudan’s neighbours face a constant influx of refugees and returnees.
Ethiopia at the 78th UN General Assembly
World leaders gathered in New York for the 78th General Assembly of the UN. This year’s annual meeting has brought hundreds of heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, civil societies and philanthropic foundations with the major objective of bringing back the world on track by rescuing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, to galvanize concrete and ambitious climate actions as the world is boiling and to recommit mobilize sufficient, predictable financial resources to honour the commitments of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the global financial framework and the major means of implementation of the sustainable development goals.
Hence, this year’s High-Level Week of the General Assembly of the UN was preceded by the SDGs Summit. The Sustainable Development Goals summit was at the centre of the high-level week. Agreed in 2015 to eradicate all forms of poverty by 2030, it is only 15 per cent of the goals of the 2030 Agenda that are met. The SDGs are worryingly off track. Member States have been negotiating to agree on a political declaration. Hence, leaders and high representatives met at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 18 and 19 September 2023, at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, to review progress and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In their declaration adopted at the beginning of the Summit, they “reaffirm our commitment to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs and uphold all principles enshrined in it. The 2030 Agenda remains our overarching roadmap for achieving sustainable development and overcoming the multiple crises we face. We will act with urgency to realize its vision as a plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership, leaving no one behind. We will endeavour to reach the furthest behind first.” The leaders also “reaffirm the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda. We are committed to its full implementation which is critical for the realization of the SDGs and their targets.”
Due to the pandemic, and its lingering effects, the great power rivalry, the devastating consequences of climate change, conflict and the fuel, food and financial crises, among others, the declaration stated that “we commit to bold, ambitious, accelerated, just and transformative actions, anchored in international solidarity and effective cooperation at all levels. We will promote a systemic shift towards a more inclusive, just, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world for people and planet, for present and future generations.”
The question, many are asking, is will the declaration be a game changer in the global race to meet the ambitious global development targets by 2030. This, as many leaders, including the President of the General Assembly and the UN Secretary General stated, would require reinvigorated global partnership and renewal of multilateralism.
High-Level General Debate under the theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”, which is being held from 18-23 September 2023. The General Assembly is expected make decisions to put the world back on track to a fair, inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Addressing the high-level General Debate of the UN GA that kicked off on 19 September 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored world needs “statesmanship, not gamesmanship and gridlock”, further calling for determination to uphold charter’s pledge for peace. The move towards a multipolar world brings new opportunities for justice and balance in international relations Secretary General tells the general assembly. Our world needs “high time to renew multilateral institutions based on twenty-first century economic and political realities, rooted in equity, solidarity and universality” he said.
The 78th United Nations President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis in his opening remarks called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and urged member states to undertake coordinated purposive action to promote peace and security, fight climate change and promote human rights. Speaking on addressing shared challenges, the PGA called for determination to end scourge of war, uphold justice, reaffirm faith in human rights and promotion of social progress. He called on leaders in achieving common future of peace and prosperity.
Half way through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, world leaders adopted a Political Declaration to reaffirm their shared commitment to leave no one behind and eradicate poverty in all its means at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit that commenced on the 18 September 2023.
The Secretary General spoke about the global rescue plan to urgently advance the SDG Stimulus of 500 billion USD per year, stressing only 15 percent of the targets are on track and many are going in reverse in his opening remark at the SDG summit. He further asserted the need to urgently advance the SDG Stimulus of 500 billion USD per year and relieving the financial burden on developing and emerging economies.
At the Assembly, Ethiopia was represented by a high-level delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen. Speaking at the SDG summit, he called for the renewal of political commitments to mobilize financial resources from all sources in bringing back the SDGs on track. The attention of developing countries is diverted from development to addressing debt crisis, growing SDGs financing gap, as well as broken promises of climate finance he mentioned; underscoring why the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda should be on top of the global agenda.
He welcomed the Secretary General’s ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative in his remarks at the Climate Ambition Summit, as it is best placed to mobilize the much-needed coordination and collaboration as well as financial resources to support national early warning system. Further shared the policy shift made by Ethiopia in early warning data management and disaster risk management.
A series of bilateral discussions were held on the sidelines of the event. In his multiple bilateral engagements with his counterparts as well as heads of international organizations, the DPM explained the full commitment of Ethiopia to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and combat the climate change in line with the 10- year development plan. Reaffirming the commitment of Ethiopia to consolidate peace and stability, He elaborated the firm determination of the Ethiopian government to pursue dialogue and constitutional means to address challenges.
Ethiopia Participates at the G77 +China Summit in Havana
Group of 77 + China Heads of State and Government Summit was held from 15 to 16 September 2023 in Havana, Cuba. A High-level Ethiopian delegation led by H.E Mr. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia participated in the summit.
The Summit was themed “The Current development challenges: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation”. More than hundred heads of states and governments including heads of international organization attended the summit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, in his remarks, expressed that progress towards sustainable development remains challenging for developing countries due to unfavourable global economic environment. He said, science, technology and innovation play crucial roles to speed up economic transformation. He also stressed the need for encouraging and promoting of indigenous knowledge and capacities through specific targeted innovation policies.
Speaking of Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, he stated the fact that the strategy envisages an inclusive digital economy that catalyses the realization of a broader development vision and enhanced the country’s participation in regional and global value chains.
DPM and Demeke also called for a genuine reform within global institutions to accommodate inclusive decision-making opportunities that prioritize the interest of the Global South. In this regard, he noted that unilateral sanctions and coercive measures violate the United Nations’ principles and international law, hamper progress in science, technology and economic development. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s firm position to reject such unilateral sanctions and coercive economic measures unfairly imposed on developing countries.
Last but not least, the DPM and FM commended Group of 77 and China for their commitment to multilateralism and the pursuit of a just and inclusive global system
The summit of Heads of State and Government of Group of 77 + China was concluded by adopting The Havana Declaration.
First Annual Regional Conference on Red Sea Dynamics Held in Addis Ababa
The First Annual Regional Consultative Forum on “Red Sea Security Dynamics: the need for Regional Cooperation in a time of Entanglement” was held on 21 September 2023 at Sheraton Addis Hotel in Addis Ababa. The forum was co-hosted by Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) and FDRE Defence War College.
IFA Deputy Executive Director, Mesafint Tefera, in his welcoming remarks, stated that the aim of the Forum as that of raising awareness on the mounting security threats in the region, sharing knowledge, and enhancing research collaboration among think tanks.
During his opening remarks, Lt. General Alemeshet Degefe, Advisor of the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces noted that, the Red Sea region that encompasses the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Gulf, and North Africa, is a diverse geopolitical environment. He added, it is a region mainly characterized by spreading radical extremism and terrorism, along with other challenges that require regional security cooperation and alliances more than ever before to avert the manifold challenges with a sense of urgency and commitment.
The keynote speaker at the Forum and Director General of Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dr. Gebeyehu Ganga said that. other than geographic proximity and being frontier states, the peoples of the Red Sea region share cultural and religious affinity. He added, the region’s strategic importance for global trade and regional security is attracting the attention of different states and actors with diverse interests. The Director General also noted the strong ties and interconnectedness between the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions indicating any situation that occurs on either side of the region also have immediate spillover effects on the other side.
He also stated that in order to ensure the long-term peace and stability in the Red Sea Region, we must create an environment of inter-regional institutions that enable citizens the respective regions and other legitimate sub-regional and international stakeholders to meaningfully participate in peace and security initiatives.
Overall, the consultative forum touched upon the following thematic areas of contemporary relevance including, (1) (De) Securitization – Sensitizing the Mounting Security Threats in the Region, Opportunities and Challenges-Regional Security Platforms; (2) Gulf-Africa Interactions – Inter-Regional and Inter-Continental Partnership; and Commonalities- Common Ground and Shared Interests Between the Gulf and the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia to Benefit from Microsoft’s Africa New Digital Development Programme
Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Molla, who is attending the 78th UNGA in New York, on 21 September, held productive discussion with Microsoft senior leadership on the margins of the Assembly on technology collaboration, and philanthropy intersection for the mutual benefit between Ethiopia and Microsoft.
The Minister briefed the leadership about Ethiopia’s current state in terms of technological advancement, digital transformation, and areas of growth. Especially, on the importance of digital literacy and training for Ethiopian youth.
He also highlighted Ethiopia’s potential as a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) destination given its large, young, affordable, and trainable workforce, along with the country’s strategic location and time zone advantages; discuss the initiatives and steps taken by Ethiopia to create a conducive environment for BPO, such as infrastructure development, training programs, and policy frameworks; explore opportunities for Microsoft to consider Ethiopia as a potential BPO hub for its operations.
While accentuating Ethiopia’s vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to drive growth, innovation, and efficiency across various sectors, the Minister elaborated our country’s desire to expand its digital infrastructure as well as to explore potential partnerships where Microsoft could play a key role, such as in providing cloud services, data centres, or other technologies.
He further emphasised Ethiopia’s emerging startup ecosystem and the potential for innovation and discussed ways Microsoft Corporation could support Ethiopian startups, be it through funding, mentoring, or providing tools and resources.
Speaking of digital governance and cybersecurity, Dr. Belete, stressed the need for building secure digital platforms for governance and public services.
The Microsoft leadership, on its part, reiterated how these can serve as foundations for deeper collaborations with Microsoft; explore opportunities for Microsoft to assist in building AI capacities in Ethiopia, whether through educational programs, research partnerships, or investments in AI startups.
Microsoft’s representatives pinpointed how digital solutions could revolutionize sectors like healthcare and agriculture in Ethiopia; discuss potential partnerships, pilot projects, or initiatives where Microsoft’s technology can make a meaningful difference.
The Microsoft leadership also appreciated Ethiopia’s keen interest to partner with the American tech giant that was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975.
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