The Fourth AFRI-RUN Held in Addis Ababa
The First Ethiopia and Armenia Political Consultation Convenes in Addis Ababa
Photography Exhibition “Ethiopia Through the Eyes of Diplomats” Opens in Addis Ababa
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
President Taye Atske-Selassie inaugurated 22 new projects at the University of Gondar on Sunday (June 15) as part of the university’s 70th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of its teaching hospital. The event, held in Gondar, was attended by Speaker of the House of Federation Agegnehu Teshager, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, and other senior officials.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received General Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), on Friday (June 20) for discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Abiy officially inaugurated the Permanent Exhibition Section at the Ethiopia Museum of Art and Science, marking the completion of establishing a fully interactive, permanent science venue in Addis Ababa. The event also featured the unveiling of Ethiopia’s first-ever Planetarium Dome expanding the country’s scientific and educational landscape. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shared on Monday (June 16) that Ethiopia will host the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) from September 8-10, 2025, in partnership with the African Union. The summit, themed “Green Talks and Green Actions,” will promote Nature-Based Solutions as key to Africa’s climate strategy, focusing on re-greening the continent and fostering African solidarity.
Prime Minister Abiy held a series of stakeholder consultations this week, meeting political party leaders on Tuesday (June 18) to address constituency concerns and reaffirm commitment to peaceful political competition. On Saturday (June 15), he also met with representatives of Ethiopia’s arts community to discuss sector challenges and encourage greater artistic engagement in national development.
Minister of Defense Aisha Mohammed held a three-day working visit to Morocco on Tuesday (June 17). During the visit, she met with Morocco’s Minister of National Defense, Abdellatif Loudiyi, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in military training, cybersecurity, and other defense and security areas.
The Fourth Annual Forum for Regional Integration and Reasonable Utilization of the Nile (AFRIRUN IV) was held at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (June 17) under the theme “Regional Power Connectivity for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.” The annual gathering, organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Ethiopian Electric Power and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, brought together government officials, policy experts, think tanks, academics, and representatives from the private sector from Ethiopia and around the world. (See article)
The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Monday (June 16) in Addis Ababa. Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa opened the event, reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening national evaluation frameworks to improve development outcomes.
The inaugural Ethiopia-Armenia Political Consultation was held on Monday (June 9) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Hadera Aberra, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. (See article)
A photography exhibition titled “Ethiopia Through the Eyes of Diplomats” was officially inaugurated on Wednesday (June 12) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. Co-organized by the diplomatic corps, the Culture Club, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the exhibition showcases the country’s vibrant cultural heritage, breathtaking variety of landscapes, and the strong sense of unity that characterizes its people. (See article)
State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera and Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye held a meeting on Tuesday (June 17) with Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Chen Hai, to discuss the implementation of outcomes from the FOCAC Beijing Summit and address shared priorities. The meeting reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with China and advancing mutual growth and cooperation.
Ambassador Hadera met with Michael Upton, Ambassador of New Zealand to Ethiopia, on Thursday (June 19) to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade and investment. The discussions highlighted opportunities for collaboration in Ethiopia’s livestock sector, and Ambassador Hadera encouraged New Zealand businesses to explore investment prospects in Ethiopia.
On the same day, Ambassador Hadera also met with Evgeny Terkhn, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ethiopia to reaffirm the longstanding partnership between the two countries. Ambassador Hadera called on Russian companies to invest in Ethiopia’s agro-industry, agriculture, manufacturing, and steel sectors.
Ambassador Hadera received Jeanne Crauser, Luxembourg’s non-resident Ambassador to Ethiopia, at his office on Wednesday (June 18). They agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, financial sector capacity building, and capital market development.
Ambassador Hadera met with Irish Ambassador Olivia Leslie on Tuesday (June 17) in Addis Ababa. The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations through regular political consultations and expanding economic cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional peace and security, expressing mutual interest in enhancing collaboration within regional and multilateral platforms.
Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye held a discussion on Thursday (June 19) with Stefano Gatti, Director General of the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Ethiopia finalizes preparations to host the 2nd UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa in July 2025.
On Tuesday (June 17), Ambassador Berhanu held a meeting with Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), to further enhance cooperation.
Ethiopia participated in the 15th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasília, Brazil, on Tuesday (June 17). Ambassador Leul Tadesse, Ethiopian Ambassador to Brazil, emphasized the importance of building resilient global health systems to address pandemics and emerging diseases.
Somalia
The National Dialogue, called by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, officially commenced on Monday (June 16) in Mogadishu. The dialogue aims to address key national issues, including governance and security.
Sudan
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera met with Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Elzein Ibrahim Hussein on Tuesday (June 17) at his office. The two sides discussed the longstanding and deeply rooted ties between Ethiopia and Sudan. Ambassador Hadera reaffirmed Ethiopia’s unwavering support for a Sudanese-owned peace process and expressed strong solidarity with the Sudanese people.
Africa and the African Union
The Africa Conference on Childcare opened in Addis Ababa on Wednesday (June 18), emphasizing the urgent need to invest in children for Africa’s future. UNICEF Representative Laila Gad highlighted the challenges faced by over 400 million children in Africa, including poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to quality education and healthcare.
The African Union marked the Day of the African Child 2025 on Monday (June 16), emphasizing the theme “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.” The AU called on Member States to mainstream children’s issues into national budgets to uphold their rights, stressing that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) also commemorated the Day of the African Child 2025, highlighting the importance of integrating children’s rights into national budgets to ensure their protection and development.
Newly Inaugurated Science Museum Showcases Ethiopia’s Commitment to Harnessing Science and Technology for Development
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated the Permanent Exhibition Section at the Ethiopia Science Museum, marking the completion of establishing a fully interactive, permanent science venue in Addis Ababa. The event also featured the unveiling of Ethiopia’s first-ever Planetarium Dome expanding the country’s scientific and educational landscape.
The newly launched permanent exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience across five major thematic areas: artificial intelligence, climate change and Ethiopia’s response, agriculture, hydropower, and aeronautics and aviation. Together, these sections showcase the nation’s growing commitment to leveraging science and technology for sustainable progress.
The exhibition is intentionally designed to be fully interactive, providing visitors, especially students and young innovators, with access to technology and scientific concepts that are often out of reach in conventional academic settings in Ethiopia. The Science Museum aims to close this gap by offering practical, hands-on learning experiences that can inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technology leaders.
The centerpiece of the museum’s expansion is the Planetarium Dome, a state-of-the-art digital theater that stands as the first of its kind in Ethiopia. With a diameter of 36 meters and covering more than 1,000 square meters, the dome can accommodate over 200 visitors at a time. Equipped with advanced 4K projection systems, the planetarium provides an extraordinary visual journey through the cosmos, bringing high-resolution astronomical content to life in a captivating and accessible way.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Abiy described the museum as a vital national asset, emphasizing its role in building the Ethiopia of tomorrow. “The permanent exhibition is a great asset for us to build tomorrow’s Ethiopia,” he said. The Prime Minister called on families, teachers, and community leaders to bring children to the museum, stating that early exposure to science and technology will encourage young people to protect, enrich, and strengthen their country in the years to come. “Anyone who wants to create, see, and experience the future should visit the Science Museum,” he added, encouraging visits especially during the rainy season when indoor educational activities are most beneficial.
The Science Museum itself was originally inaugurated in October 2022 as part of the Addis Riverside Green Development Project, a large-scale urban revitalization initiative supported by Chinese cooperation. The museum’s distinctive circular design, known as the “Ring of Wisdom,” became a symbol of Ethiopia’s growing focus on digital transformation and scientific advancement.
The Fourth AFRI-RUN Held in Addis Ababa
The Fourth Annual Forum for Regional Integration and Reasonable Utilization of the Nile (AFRIRUN IV) was held at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (June 17) under the theme “Regional Power Connectivity for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.” The annual gathering, organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Ethiopian Electric Power and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, brought together government officials, policy experts, think tanks, academics, and representatives from the private sector from Ethiopia and around the world.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, in his opening remarks, stated that hundreds of millions of Africans live without access to electricity. He said electricity is not just a commodity but rather a transformative tool to ensure the provision of public goods and aspires to meet the regional integration and cooperation Agenda 2063. Cognizant of this fact, FM Gedion stated that regional power connectivity for inclusive and sustainable development is the cornerstone of our shared future as African nations.
According to him, access to reliable and equitable energy must serve as the bedrock for sustainable industrialization, job creation, and climate resilience through shared infrastructure, harmonized policies, and cross-border energy trade to fulfill the ambitions of the shared continental agenda. The forum’s theme, he added, implies the fact that connectivity’s pivotal role in effecting inclusive and sustainable development is not a mere economic enterprise but also a cornerstone of our shared future as a continent. He concluded his remarks with a call to action to collectively harness our collective to “light our homes, empower our economies, and inspire our youth.”
Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, addressing the participants, said that investing in the energy sector and, subsequently, in power connectivity is the future of the Horn and Eastern Africa. “If we come together and cooperate,” Habtamu stated, “We will enjoy the blessings of our power options and diverse potentials.”
Jafar Bedru, the Executive Director of IFA, during his address, stated that reliable, affordable, and sustainable sources of energy are crucial to development both at home and in the region. He stated that regional power connectivity is not an end in itself but also a pathway to a broader development agenda. Renewable energy, he added, has the potential to reframe the green transition—not as a zero-sum race—but as a platform for regional integration, shared prosperity, and enduring peace. In this regard, the ED said that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is not only generating electricity at the moment but also boosting confidence in Africa’s capacity to chart its own course with a shared and timely understanding that regional integration, fueled by cross-border connectivity, is no longer a distant dream.
The Former Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Secretariat, Michael Kizza, for his part stated that the forum significantly contributes to resolving the fragmented regional efforts into a coordinated approach that benefits all and echoes the “One River, One People, and One Vision” of the NBI.
Afterward, the Afri-RUN event featured two key panel discussions themed “Regional Energy Integration and Connectivity: Policy and Governance” and “Issues in Sustainable Electrification and Renewable Energy.”
The CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power, Ashebir Balcha, in his closing remarks expressed his gratitude to the organizers and the participants for the successful event and stated that through the multisectoral Home-Grown Economic Reforms, the GERD is evolving into a catalyst for regional integration, addressing energy needs while extending power to Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya, with plans for Tanzania, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Ethiopia Unveils Diplomatic Guide on Homegrown Economic Reform with Renewed Economic Diplomacy Agenda
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has launched a Diplomatic Guide on Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform in the presence of ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials from the Ministry and other government institutions, as well as CEOs and staff of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange and Ethiopian Investment Holdings on Monday (June 9). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Ethiopian Securities Exchange, and Ethiopian Investment Holdings, prepared this comprehensive Diplomatic Guide.
In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos outlined the significant challenges that the government encountered upon assuming leadership. He described the dire economic conditions at the time, characterized by rising inflation, a substantial debt burden, high unemployment, and low productivity across various sectors. These inefficiencies led to considerable resource wastage and a sluggish pace of structural transformation within the economy. In response to these pressing challenges, the government launched the Homegrown Economic Reform in 2019, a strategic initiative aimed at revitalizing the national economy.
Minister Gedion highlighted the remarkable achievements attained through the Reform, which have laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and diversified economic landscape. Among the key accomplishments, he emphasized the transformative agricultural revolution, particularly the expansion of irrigation projects in lowland areas, which has significantly boosted food production. The success of the wheat revolution has further strengthened food security by increasing domestic wheat production and reducing reliance on imports.
The reforms have also driven substantial growth in the productive capacities of various industries, fostering diversification and stimulating economic expansion. Minister Gedion underscored the improvements in the ease of doing business, which have contributed to enhanced investor confidence and the attraction of foreign direct investment. This positive trend is further reflected in the considerable growth of exports, strengthening Ethiopia’s foreign exchange reserves and overall economic resilience.
Moreover, the government has achieved commendable macroeconomic stability, creating a strong foundation for sustained development. Through these wide-ranging reforms, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) is striving to build a balanced, resilient, and inclusive economy that ensures equitable growth and benefits for all Ethiopians. Minister Gedion noted that the cumulative achievements of the past seven years have positioned Ethiopia as one of the fastest-growing economies globally, the largest economy in East Africa, and the third-largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite enduring both man-made and natural crises, as well as global geopolitical shifts.
He further emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has actively advanced various economic diplomacy efforts in support of the economic reform agenda. Minister Gedion stressed the need for intensified diplomatic engagement to sustain and scale up the bold, far-reaching, and dynamic reforms, while also effectively seizing opportunities presented by the rapidly changing global geo-economic environment. Within this context, the Diplomatic Guide was meticulously prepared to highlight the core pillars and objectives of the Homegrown Economic Reform, showcase new investment opportunities, and promote Ethiopia’s improved business environment to the international community. The primary purpose of the Guide is to effectively present these opportunities to foreign governments, investors, and the Ethiopian diaspora.
Additionally, Minister Gedion underlined the Foreign Ministry’s commitment to strengthening coordination among stakeholders to ensure that Ethiopia’s economic diplomacy delivers tangible outcomes.
In his keynote address, Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, emphasized the critical importance of the newly launched Diplomatic Guide. He described the Guide not merely as a document but as an essential tool to propel Ethiopia’s national economic reform agenda towards sustained and inclusive growth across all sectors. Minister Shide elaborated on the Guide’s practical significance for Ethiopian diplomats, noting that it equips them to engage more effectively with the international community, strengthen trade partnerships, and attract foreign direct investment, particularly in priority sectors.
The Minister also stressed the Guide’s role in facilitating technology transfer, which is essential for modernizing Ethiopia’s economy. Furthermore, by promoting increased remittance flows, the Guide contributes to supporting the financial well-being of many Ethiopian families and communities. Minister Ahmed Shide also highlighted the importance of securing development finance to support the country’s ongoing initiatives. He emphasized that Ethiopia’s current reform momentum presents a unique opportunity that foreign partners and investors should understand and seize.
By serving as a vital reference for Ethiopian diplomats, the Guide offers essential insights into the country’s ongoing economic reforms and provides strategic direction to support the effective conduct of economic diplomacy. It enables diplomats to navigate the complexities of international relations while actively advancing Ethiopia’s financial interests.
The Diplomatic Guide not only redefines Ethiopia’s economic diplomacy but also acknowledges the shifting dynamics of international relations, where geo-economics is becoming increasingly influential. This strategic reorientation marks Ethiopia’s deliberate shift from traditional geopolitical considerations to a stronger emphasis on advancing its economic interests globally. The implications of this transition are far-reaching, affirming that economic priorities now hold as much significance as political alignments in shaping Ethiopia’s foreign policy.
This approach aligns Ethiopia with contemporary global trends and enhances its capacity to engage effectively with a rapidly evolving international order. Through its Homegrown Economic Reform, Ethiopia is actively pursuing economic partnerships that promise sustainable development and long-term prosperity.
Ethiopia is undergoing a significant evolution in its foreign policy, characterized by a diversification strategy that reflects its growing autonomy and strategic interests. The country is actively cultivating balanced partnerships with nations from both the Global North and Global South to maximize mutual benefits and reinforce its sovereignty in international affairs.
In response to the rapidly changing global geo-economic environment, Ethiopia has proactively expanded its international partnerships by utilizing a range of economic instruments outlined in the Homegrown Economic Reform, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development and global trade. Through these diversified alliances, Ethiopia seeks to enhance its economic capacity and strengthen its role within the complex global system.
Ethiopia is confidently navigating the challenges of the contemporary international system, recognizing that interdependence among nations is now a key determinant of security, influence, and resilience. This strategy ensures that Ethiopia remains a relevant and influential player in the global arena. As an active proponent of South-South cooperation, Ethiopia is committed to fostering direct collaboration among developing countries and fully supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a unified market for 1.3 billion people and empower Africa to achieve greater economic self-sufficiency and regional integration.
The First Ethiopia and Armenia Political Consultation Convenes in Addis Ababa
The inaugural Ethiopia-Armenia Political Consultation was held on Monday (June 9) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Hadera Aberra, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hadera underscored that this first-ever political consultation marks a significant milestone, reflecting the shared commitment of Ethiopia and Armenia to strengthen their bilateral relations and foster deeper cooperation across multiple sectors. The State Minister recalled the long-standing historical ties between the two nations, notably highlighting the 16th-century Ethiopian diplomatic mission to Europe led by “Matthew the Armenian,” which sought international support on behalf of Empress Eleni of Ethiopia.
While acknowledging the cordial and historic friendship between the two countries, Ambassador Hadera emphasized the need to expand cooperation in areas such as investment, trade, and tourism. He noted that the current level of engagement does not yet reflect the full potential of the bilateral relationship and urged both sides to intensify efforts to address this gap.
Deputy Minister Kostanyan, for his part, highlighted Armenia’s interest in translating its long-standing friendship with Ethiopia into concrete economic partnerships. He affirmed Armenia’s full support for Ethiopia’s efforts to combat terrorism and maintain peace and security in the East African region.
The two sides exchanged views on regional peace and security, and the status of bilateral ties. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation within multilateral fora and explored mechanisms to strengthen economic, social, and cultural collaboration.
The consultations concluded with a mutual agreement to cooperate in priority areas including ICT and digitalization, smart agriculture, mining, digital governance (e-governance), technology transfer, health, education, and diplomatic training. Both sides also expressed commitment to work towards the preparation and signing of various bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in the years ahead.
During his visit, Deputy Minister Kostanyan paid a courtesy call on President Taye Atske Selassie. The President reaffirmed Ethiopia’s interest in deepening relations with Armenia and encouraged Armenian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Ethiopia. Deputy Minister Kostanyan conveyed a message from the President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, and reiterated Armenia’s commitment to further strengthening its ties with Ethiopia.
Photography Exhibition “Ethiopia Through the Eyes of Diplomats” Opens in Addis Ababa
A photography exhibition titled “Ethiopia Through the Eyes of Diplomats” was officially inaugurated on Wednesday (June 12) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. Co-organized by the diplomatic corps, the Culture Club, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the exhibition showcases the country’s vibrant cultural heritage, breathtaking variety of landscapes, and the strong sense of unity that characterizes its people.
Spearheaded by the Moroccan embassy in Ethiopia, along with the embassies of Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Brazil, and UNESCO, the opening of the exhibition was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, and other representatives of several diplomatic missions accredited in the capital.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that the exhibition is a celebration of cultural appreciation, friendship, and the profound ability of art to transcend national boundaries, as it does more than merely display beautiful images of the country.
State Minister Berhanu further underscored the Ministry’s commitment to supporting creative diplomacy, where art and photography serve as tools for international engagement and understanding. Emphasizing Addis Ababa’s growing role as a global diplomatic and cultural hub, the state minister noted that the city’s transformation through infrastructure growth and urban corridor development signals Ethiopia’s aspirations to become a smart, clean, and green metropolis.
On the occasion, the state minister extended his profound gratitude to the diplomatic community, Culture Club, and all stakeholders who made the exhibition possible and commended their shared vision and collaboration in portraying Ethiopia not only through diplomatic engagements but also through artistic exploration and heartfelt storytelling that reflect the spirit and resilience of the Ethiopian people.
This year’s photography exhibition, being celebrated under the theme “Togetherness-Celebrating Diversity and Harmony,” scheduled to remain open from June 13-25, will feature competition for best photographs, cultural performances & live music, and panel discussions that showcase Ethiopia’s cultural beauty, resilience, and harmony.
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