Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches Training for Newly Appointed Ambassadors
Ethiopia’s Diplomatic Achievements and Strategic Initiatives in the Current Fiscal Year
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Sahle-Work Zewde met on Thursday (July 18) with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defense, Micheál Martin, who arrived in Addis Ababa for a working visit. The high-level Irish delegation discussed various topics with the President, focusing on bilateral relations and cooperation as well as the current state of affairs in the Horn of Africa.
Similarly, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a bilateral discussion with Micheál Martin and his delegation on the same day, covering a range of important issues.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Gorgora Eco Resort on Saturday (July 13), a key tourism project developed under the “Dine for Nation” initiative. The inaugural ceremony saw the presence of federal and regional government officials, local community representatives, diplomats, and representatives of multilateral organizations based in Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended his congratulatory message to Paul Kagame on his re-election as the President of Rwanda for the next five years on Wednesday (July 17). The Prime Minister also wished Kagame continued success in his upcoming term as the leader of the East African nation.
Training for the newly appointed Ethiopian ambassadors began on Thursday (July 11) in the Skylight Hotel in the presence of high-level officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officiating the launch of the training session, Foreign Minister Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie stressed that the newly appointed ambassadors are expected to demonstrate patriotism, enthusiasm to acquire diplomatic wisdom, and leadership abilities. (See article)
A delegation led by Ambassador Taye Astke-Selassie, Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, is participating in the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, which is being held in Accra, Ghana from July 18–19, 2024. The meeting will deliberate on various issues, including the adoption of the AU budget for the year 2025.
The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, had a meeting at his office on Monday (July 15) with Ervin Massinga, the United States Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The two sides discussed regional issues of mutual interest, particularly peace initiatives in the Sudan.
Foreign Minister Taye also met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov on the same day to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral political and economic relations.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, held discussions with Greek Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou during his visit to Greece. He also inaugurated an honorary consulate in Athens, on Wednesday (July 17). During the inauguration, the state minister also handed over a letter of appointment to Giorgios Bikas, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Greece.
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, gave the Bi-Weekly Press Briefing of the Ministry at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (July 18). During his presser, Ambassador Nebiyu told journalists that Ethiopia’s diplomatic endeavors throughout the 2016 Ethiopian fiscal year were fruitful. (See article)
Ethiopia took part in a consultation in Moscow among BRICS Ministries of Foreign Affairs’ spokespersons and heads of information departments on Friday (July 12). Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to cooperating with BRICS nations in promoting BRICS narratives and combating misinformation.
Speaker of the House of Federation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Agegnehu Teshager, met with Chairwoman of the 6th convocation of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, on Friday (July 12) on the sidelines of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which is taking place in St Petersburg, Russia. The meeting highlighted the joint activities of the parliaments of both countries in various international organizations.
Ethiopia inked a host country agreement with the UN to host the 1st preparatory session for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development on Thursday (July 18), which will be held in Addis from July 22–26. Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma and Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, have signed the agreement.
On a similar note, the Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide, discussed with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, the upcoming 1st preparatory meeting for the 4th Conference on Financing for Development on Friday (July 12).
Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), met with a Moroccan defense delegation led by Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Aziz Idrisi on Monday (July 16). The two dignitaries engaged in a discussion aimed at reviving the long-standing relationship between the two countries and exploring opportunities for closer collaboration on issues of peace and security.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, announced a commitment to end gender-based violence and female genital mutilation. She made the statement while receiving the UN Population Award 2024 in New York on Saturday (July 13) on behalf of Ethiopia’s National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage. The National Alliance was honored for its significant contributions to population awareness and efforts to eliminate harmful practices against women and girls.
A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) Mine Action Office (EMAO) on Wednesday (July 17). During their visit, the delegation members were briefed on the activities carried out by the office in pursuit of its mission. Additionally, they observed the general working conditions and training materials being used by the Mine Action Office.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, met with Armenia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sahak Sargsyan, to explore ways to enhance cooperation between their countries in various sectors on Thursday (July 18). During their discussions, the officials identified opportunities for cooperation in areas such as innovation and technology, with a focus on accelerating Ethiopia’s economic growth.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, in partnership with USAID, announced on Wednesday (July 17) its readiness to implement new health and nutrition related projects. The announcement came at a time when USAID officials held a discussion with the Health Minister, Dr. Mekdes Daba.
Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health, Dereje Duguma, delivered a keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia in Beijing, China, on Wednesday (July 17). He emphasized Africa’s challenges and opportunities in developing resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems and highlighted Ethiopia’s new health policy, which adopts the Health in All Policies approach.
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and the Central Bank of UAE signed a currency swap agreement and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on Tuesday (July 16) to promote the use of domestic currencies and interlink their payment and messaging systems.
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) announced on Tuesday (July 16) the issuance of a groundbreaking directive that will enable the licensing of the first securities exchange in Ethiopia. The authority has prepared and registered the “Directive on Licensing, Operation, and Supervision of Securities Exchanges, Derivatives Exchanges, and the Over-the-Counter Market No. 1009/2024.”
UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and Ethiopian Minister of Industry Melaku Alebel officially inaugurated the China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence located in Addis Ababa on Monday (July 16). The centre is a pioneering tripartite initiative to promote sustainable industrialization, agricultural modernization, and skills development across Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines announced on Wednesday (July 18) that it will resume direct flights between Bahir Dar and Kombolcha cities in the Amhara region, starting on Saturday (July 20). The decision comes in response to frequent requests from passengers to restart the flight, which had been suspended due to conflict in the region.
Ethiopian Airlines announced earlier this week, on Monday (July 16), that it had been awarded the prestigious Global Recognition and Appreciation Award at the First International Post-COVID Conference held in Toronto. This accolade acknowledges Ethiopian Airlines’ pivotal role in distributing emergency gear throughout Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the delivery of essential medical supplies and saving countless lives.
Ethiopia earned 1.43 billion USD from coffee exports during the recently concluded fiscal year. In a press conference on Wednesday (July 17) detailing the authority’s performance over the past year, the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority stated that the revenue has been secured by exporting over 298,000 tons of coffee to various countries during the stated period.
Djibouti
A Djiboutian business delegation led by Mohamed Warsama, Minister of Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Djibouti, met with his Ethiopian counterpart, Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (July 17). They discussed the importance of enhancing bilateral trade, focusing on export trade facilitation. Both sides engaged in a candid dialogue and demonstrated their commitment to fostering stronger trade connections and advancing regional economic integration.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed named Takele Uma as the new CEO of Ethio-Djibouti Railways S.C., effective immediately, starting on Tuesday (July 16). The new CEO has served as the former Minister of Mines and ex-Mayor of Addis Ababa.
The Prime Minister of Djibouti, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, received on Sunday (July 14) the Ambassador of the Vatican, Antoine Camilleri, for a farewell visit. During the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated Ambassador Camilleri for the work accomplished during his mission in Djibouti and extended his best wishes for the future.
Djibouti’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Djibouti, Emma Ngouan Anoh, on Sunday (July 14) for the implementation of a new project to combat land degradation and conserve biodiversity.
Kenya
President William Ruto of Kenya hosted Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defense, Micheál Martin at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday (July 16). The bilateral meeting underscored the longstanding cooperation between Kenya and Ireland across various sectors. President Ruto highlighted deep-rooted bilateral relations, emphasizing advancements in education, particularly in science, technical, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies. The leaders also discussed partnerships in agricultural research, labor migration, peace and security initiatives, and multilateral cooperation at the United Nations.
Somalia
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre officially opened the Somalia Agri-Tech Expo 2024, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, on Tuesday (July 16). The event brought together federal and state-level agriculture authorities, international partners, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, technology providers, financial institutions, research institutions, and civil society.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Ahmed Fiqi, welcomed a large delegation led by his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on Friday (July 12). In a joint press conference, the two ministers reiterated their commitment to enhancing the longstanding and crucial bilateral ties between the two nations.
Sudan
The preparatory meeting for the planned Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue, organized by the African Union (AU), concluded its work in Addis Ababa on Monday (July 13). The AU held the meeting to arrange the launch of a political process for Sudan’s civil political forces.
Africa and the African Union
A nine-member delegation from the African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (AU PAPS) concluded a four-day visit to Somalia on Thursday (July 18), after consulting with the Federal Government of Somalia and partners on peace and security issues.
African foreign ministers and representatives met in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday (July 18) for the 45th ordinary session of the African Union’s (AU) executive council to discuss and adopt the 55-member bloc’s budget for 2025 and other issues affecting the continent. The two-day meeting is also expected to reflect on the AU’s role in the upcoming G20 leaders’ summit, scheduled for November in Brazil.
The African Union (AU) commenced a meeting on Thursday (July 17) in Mombasa, Kenya, to finalize the Draft Plan of Action for implementing policies on preventing trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM). This event, attended by AU representatives, member states, development partners, and civil society organizations, aims to transform policies adopted in September 2021 into actionable steps.
African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, visited Ethiopian Airlines state-of-the-art facility on Saturday (July 13). On the occasion, the AUC chairperson met and held a discussion with Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew and other executive management members.
The African Union (AU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) deployed a joint election observation mission to oversee Rwanda’s general elections held from July 14–16. Led by former leaders from Cabo Verde and Uganda, the mission included 48 short-term observers from 16 African countries.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches Training for Newly Appointed Ambassadors
A training session for newly appointed Ethiopian ambassadors commenced on Thursday (July 11) at Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, with high-level officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in attendance. Foreign Minister Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie officiated the launch, stressing the ambassadors’ expected demonstration of patriotism, enthusiasm for acquiring diplomatic wisdom, and leadership abilities. He reiterated that the Ethiopian Government’s decision to appoint 24 ambassadors was based on their diplomatic professionalism, extensive work experience, and unwavering national loyalty.
Minister Atske-Selassie emphasized the ambassadors’ responsibility to remain cognizant and vigilant of regional, continental, and global issues, urging an unwavering commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s national interests in bilateral and multilateral settings. He also highlighted the pivotal contributions of exemplary Ethiopian diplomats who have enhanced Ethiopia’s global standing during challenging times. The training sessions have been covering a range of topics, including bilateral, regional and multilateral issues affecting their country’s interests.
On Strategies for Horn of Africa and Regional Integration
The first day of training focused on diplomatic strategies within the Horn of Africa, a region of critical geopolitical importance. Ambassador Mesganu Arga, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, moderated discussions on regional integration, collaborative diplomacy among neighboring states, and the complexities of addressing transboundary issues such as security and trade.
Ambassador Fiseha Shawol, African Affairs Director General, led insightful deliberations on fostering harmonious relations and sustainable development initiatives across the Horn of Africa. He emphasized Ethiopia’s prioritization of diplomatic ties with neighboring countries and proposed strategies to overcome regional challenges. Throughout the sessions, the ambassadors exchanged valuable insights and experiences, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in navigating the dynamics of Horn of Africa diplomacy.
Deliberations on Ethiopia’s Role in BRICS
Ambassador Leulseged Tadesse, Head of the Directorate General of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a presentation on ‘Ethiopia’s BRICS Membership: Priorities and Prospects.’ He discussed BRICS’ advocacy for global governance reform, its role in revitalizing multilateralism, and its objectives of promoting South-South cooperation to advance the legitimate interests of developing countries.
Ambassador Tadesse highlighted BRICS’ global influence, encompassing 47% of the global population, 37% of global GDP, and 36% of the global landmass, among other factors. He underscored Ethiopia’s enduring commitment to effective multilateralism and Pan-Africanism, its historical contributions to global peace and security, and its status as a major diplomatic hub and representative of Africa on the global stage.
Training on Hydrodiplomacy
The training included sessions on water diplomacy in the Nile River basin, management of selected river basins, and negotiations related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ambassadors discussed Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts to ensure equitable and reasonable utilization of Nile River waters, emphasizing cooperation among riparian states based on principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and mutual benefit.
Ethiopia’s ratification of the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement and its active participation in the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) were highlighted as efforts towards the eventual establishment of the Nile Basin Commission.
The GERD, nearing completion, was noted as a symbol of regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa, demonstrating Ethiopia’s commitment to the equitable and reasonable utilization of Nile River waters.
The training, spanning two weeks, aims to equip ambassadors with a comprehensive understanding of current regional, continental, and international dynamics. Key focus areas include economic diplomacy, Ethiopia’s strategic engagements in multilateral forums, diaspora policy, and media relations, all geared towards advancing Ethiopia’s national interests on the global stage.
Ethiopia’s Diplomatic Achievements and Strategic Initiatives in the Current Fiscal Year
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, gave the Bi-Weekly Press Briefing of the Ministry at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday (July 18). During his presser, Ambassador Nebiyu told journalists that Ethiopia’s diplomatic endeavors throughout the 2016 Ethiopian fiscal year were fruitful.
All the way from cultivating good neighborliness towards shared interests to enhancing participation in multilateral fora such as the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Ethiopia has registered significant strides, he stated. Ambassador Nebiyu added, several high-level visits were arranged and agreements signed in bilateral and multilateral venues to promote the national interest of Ethiopia.
With regards to Ethiopia’s multifaceted relations with its neighbors, the Spokesperson said the government has put incessant efforts into further strengthening the longstanding ties in such a manner that it ensures further cooperation and mutual benefits. To this effect, 12 agreements have been signed with neighboring states to boost cooperation in the tourism, culture, wildlife, capacity building, education, correctional services, fishery, petroleum, transport, and energy sectors, he added.
To further its interests at the African Union during this period, Ethiopia, as a host country, has successfully hosted the meetings of the Permanent Representatives, Executive Council, and Heads of State and Government of the continental body, Ambassador Nebiyu stated. In this regard, the government’s continued commitment to regional peace and stability in tandem with ensuring the full implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement is worth mentioning, he added. On the other hand, Ambassador Nebiyu mentioned the fact that by ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to regional and continental economic integration.
Similarly, Ethiopia has also been actively working to ensure its interests within the UNECA on matters of shared and multilateral nature, he noted. He further stated, Addis Ababa being the host of the African Ministerial Committee on the Environment (AMCEN) is a testament to this very fact, Ambassador Nebiyu told reporters.
On top of this, various Ethiopian high-level delegations have participated in the UN General Assembly, UN Committee meetings, UN Human Rights Commission meetings, the World Health Organisation (WHO) conference, FAO, refugees forums, COP 28 and many more global gatherings.
The Spokesman also highlighted Ethiopia’s engagement in high-level visits across Africa, European countries, the Middle East, the United States, and Asia, resulting in the signing of 71 agreements in various fields including trade, investment, sports, disaster management, energy, and agriculture, among others.
Concerted efforts to champion the tripartite negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are also part of Ethiopia’s diversified and inclusive diplomatic engagements, Ambassador Nebiyu stated. Parallel to striving for a fair and equitable utilization of the Nile River, he said, the government has effectively undue pressure from external forces on the country during the tripartite negotiations.
Speaking of the Diplomacy Week Exhibition, the Ministry Spokesman noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instrumental in showcasing its more than century-old history and that of the nation. Ambassador Nebiyu said this was meticulously conducted in a comprehensive and informative manner and was considerate of the complex past, present, and future of Ethiopia’s diplomacy and international relations.
Concurrently, economic diplomacy has also been central to Ethiopia’s foreign relations, he stressed, underscoring the promotion of trade, investment, and tourism overseas as the crux of the nation’s diplomatic efforts near and far. He highlighted 507 investment-related visits and participation in 112 business forums as prime examples of Ethiopia’s successful diplomatic engagements this fiscal year.
Speaking of advocating for the rights and interests of nationals overseas, Ambssador Nebiyu said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassies and Consulates overseas, together with relevant parastatals and stakeholders, has been at the forefront of extricating nationals in difficult conditions in the Middle East out of misery and suffering.
Last but not least, Ambassador Nebiyu spoke of the consolidated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to effect assets and generate miscellaneous revenues from these diplomatic assets overseas. Saving financial resources by building residential and office blocs in different parts of the world where Ethiopia has formally been represented through an Embassy or a Consulate has been the foremost area of intervention of the government in the aforementioned fiscal year, he told journalists.
Leave Your Comments Here