Ethiopia Hosts UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa
Ethiopian Cultural and Arts Delegation Holds Performances in China
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa hosted the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) from July 27 to 29. Co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, the summit convened heads of state, ministers, United Nations officials, representatives of civil society, and youth advocates from across the globe. Distinguished attendees included Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kenyan President William Ruto, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, United Nations Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a nationwide campaign in Jimma on Thursday (July 31) under the theme “Renewal Through Planting,” aiming to plant 700 million seedlings, a target that has already been surpassed.
Prime Minister Abiy and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited development sites in Jimma on Monday (July 28), including the renovated Abba Jifar Palace, the restored Boye Lake, and surrounding infrastructure. Earlier, during their meeting in Addis Ababa, the two leaders discussed bilateral and multilateral issues and signed a Joint Declaration on the Ethiopian–Italian Cooperation Framework.
Prime Minister Abiy held talks with the President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, on Monday (July 28). The discussion focused on bilateral and regional issues, with Prime Minister Abiy highlighting the strong ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Abiy received UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed at his office on Sunday (July 27) in Addis Ababa. The Prime Minister highlighted Ethiopia’s pride in co-hosting the Second UN Food Systems Summit and emphasized the country’s commitment to transforming food systems through sustainable, inclusive, and climate-smart approaches.
He also conferred with IFAD President Alvaro Lario in Ethiopia on Sunday (July 27). The Prime Minister commended IFAD’s role in empowering rural communities and advancing inclusive, sustainable agricultural development, emphasizing Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening the partnership to build resilient livelihoods.
The premier also met with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu on Sunday (July 27). PM Abiy noted FAO’s continued role as a key partner in supporting Ethiopia’s efforts toward sustainable agricultural development and food security.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh met with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca on Monday (July 28) on the sidelines of the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa.
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos held talks with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf during a working visit to Algeria on Thursday (July 31). The two Ministers reviewed the implementation of key decisions from the 5th Joint Ministerial Commission held in Addis Ababa and emphasized the importance of continued coordination on shared priorities at both continental and multilateral levels.
Ethiopia signed a USD 69.2 million grant agreement with IFAD on Tuesday (July 29) to implement Phase II of the Lowland Livelihoods Resilience Project. The project aims to strengthen climate resilience and livelihoods for 3 million people across eight regions, and is cofinanced by the World Bank. The Grant Agreement was signed between Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, and Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD.
Ethiopia and Italy signed a partnership agreement on Tuesday (July 29) to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture sector, with a focus on modernizing the coffee value chain. The agreement was signed by Agriculture Ministers Girma Amente and Francesco Lollobrigida on the sidelines of the UNFSS+4 Summit in Addis Ababa.
Minister Girma held talks with UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna Aldahak on Monday (July 28) on the margins of the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa. The two discussed strengthening agricultural cooperation, with the UAE expressing interest in expanding investment, packaging, and value addition.
State Ministers Ambassador Hadera Abera and Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, along with the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and affiliated institutions, participated in this year’s one-day Green Legacy planting initiative on Thursday (July 31).
State Minister Ambassador Hadera met with Czech Ambassador Miroslav Kosek on Wednesday (July 30) at his office to discuss deepening bilateral relations.
Ambassador Hadera conferred with a high-level Italian parliamentary delegation led by Vice President of the Italian Parliament Lia Quartapelle on Thursday (July 31). The two sides discussed the longstanding diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Ethiopia and Italy.
Ambassador Hadera met on Tuesday (July 29) with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia. They held discussions on regional peace and security, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including water development, sugar technology, education, and health sector. Earlier on Monday (July 28), they laid a wreath of flowers at the Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park.
On the same day, Ambassador Hadera met with Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli. The two sides held discussions on strategic investments and explored opportunities for mutual growth, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Ethiopia–Italy relations.
Finance State Minister Semereta Sewasew held talks with Philipp Knill, Director for Africa at Germany’s BMZ, on Wednesday (July 30). Both sides emphasized strengthening ties in key sectors including energy, agriculture, and governance.
The Government of Nigeria donated 100,000 seeds and 2,000 cashew plants to support Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative on Sunday (July 27), marking a gesture of growing bilateral ties. The handover was attended by State Minister of Agriculture Efa Muleta, Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, Nigerian Chief Plant Scientist Ibraheem Dooba, and Ambassador Nasir Aminu.
Ethiopia participated in the Third Conference on Peace and Development for the Horn of Africa, which concluded in Kampala on Tuesday (July 29). The joint statement praised Ethiopia’s progress in food security and climate action and emphasized regional peace and cooperation.
A cultural delegation led by Minister of Culture and Sports, Shewit Shanka, held a series of performances in Beijing and Dingzhou, Hebei Province, from July 21 to 27. The events highlighted Ethiopia’s traditional music, dance, art, fashion, and coffee ceremony as part of the Kin Ethiopia: Ethiopia Rising Culture and Art Program. (See article)
Kenya
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held bilateral talks with Kenyan President William Ruto on Sunday (July 27) in Addis Ababa. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest.
Somalia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conferred with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday (July 27) in Addis Ababa. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest.
Africa and the African Union
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, received President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday (July 28). The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest.
On the same day, the Chairperson also met with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. Their exchange reaffirmed commitment to the AU-UN Framework Agreement on enhanced partnership in peace & security, focusing on preventive diplomacy, mediation, peace operations, and sustainable development.
At the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa, Chairperson Youssouf emphasized that transforming food systems is both a moral and strategic imperative critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending hunger, reducing poverty, and building climate-resilient economies.
Ethiopia Hosts UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa hosted the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) from July 27 to 29. Co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, the summit convened including heads of state, ministers, United Nations officials, representatives of civil society, and youth advocates from across the globe. Distinguished attendees included Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kenyan President William Ruto, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, United Nations Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
At the opening ceremony held on Monday (July 28), Prime Minister Abiy underscored the growing strain on global food systems, citing the compounding effects of climate change, conflicts, supply disruptions, economic shocks, and widening inequalities. He noted that despite a decline in development assistance and challenges to multilateral cooperation, the international community must recommit to collective action and bold solutions. “Food is not just agriculture,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting its central role in shaping health, economies, the environment, and the future.
Emphasizing Ethiopia’s proactive approach, Prime Minister Abiy stated that the country has made a deliberate choice to act boldly by investing in local food production, reducing dependence on imports, and building resilient systems that prioritize human dignity. He announced that Ethiopia has launched a comprehensive roadmap for food systems transformation, aligned with its macroeconomic and homegrown economic reform agendas. This roadmap includes over 700 actionable interventions structured into seven strategic clusters, covering areas from production and markets to innovation, risk management, energy, and skills development.
Highlighting tangible outcomes, the Prime Minister said Ethiopia has achieved self-sufficiency in wheat production through expanded irrigation and is advancing diversified agricultural growth through initiatives such as the “Bounty of the Basket,” which promotes poultry, dairy, aquaculture, and sustainable agriculture. He also emphasized the country’s multi-sectoral efforts to combat child undernutrition under the Seqota Declaration and the climate resilience and job creation impacts of the Green Legacy Initiative, which has seen the planting of over 40 billion trees. Ethiopia’s transformation, he said, is a whole-of-nation effort engaging all levels of government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and research institutions.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni, during her remarks, emphasized the urgency of food security in her speech at the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa, noting the summit’s significance as the first of its kind to be hosted in Africa. Stressing the human and political dimensions of hunger, she highlighted that 10 percent of the world’s population, disproportionately concentrated in Africa, remains food insecure. She linked this crisis to compounded global shocks including the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation, and climate impacts, warning that food insecurity fuels poverty, conflict, and migration.
Meloni presented Italy’s approach, rooted in the Mattei Plan for Africa, as one that prioritizes sustainable, locally driven development. She highlighted successful projects across Algeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Congo that create jobs and reclaim arable land while strengthening food production and water management. For Italy, food sovereignty is not about dependency but empowerment, ensuring that communities can define their own agricultural models and markets. Meloni underscored the value of smallholder farmers and local traditions, calling for investments that protect quality, dignity, and fair returns for rural producers, thereby making food systems an engine of inclusive growth and stability.
In his virtual address to the summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended Ethiopia and Italy for co-hosting the event and underscored the urgency of transforming global food systems to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking to an audience, Guterres emphasized the need for climate-resilient food policies, greater private sector engagement, and investment in innovation to reduce dependence on food imports. He noted that over 100 countries have already taken steps to align their food systems with environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Guterres warned that trade disruptions have fueled rising global food prices, making nutritious food increasingly inaccessible. He advocated for minimizing food waste, optimizing value chains, and integrating advanced technologies including artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and create job opportunities. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of debt relief, access to finance, and reform of the global financial system to support developing nations. Calling for collective global action, he concluded by urging stronger partnerships to achieve food security and sustainable development for all.
UNFSS+4 concluded on Tuesday (July 29) after a series of high-level engagements and side events. At the closing ceremony, President Taye Atske Selassie stated that Ethiopia’s efforts to advance food system transformation and achieve food security are yielding tangible results. He highlighted the country’s progress in wheat production beyond household consumption, enabling Ethiopia to become a market supplier and profitable producer.
President Taye underscored that such achievements are evidence of Ethiopia’s commitment to food sovereignty and self-reliance while also contributing to the global effort to meet the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He noted that the global food systems agenda reflects a shared aspiration for dignity, freedom, and justice for all peoples. He also pointed to progress in irrigation development, agricultural technology adoption, and productivity gains worldwide as a testament to the effectiveness of collaborative policies and actions.
Ambassador Stefano Gatti, Director General of Development Cooperation at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized the importance of strengthening and sustaining the significant advances made in food systems, particularly in diversified agricultural economies.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed commended the partnerships forged globally to achieve the SDGs. She praised the Ethiopian Government for its leadership in organizing the summit and acknowledged the support of the Italian Government. The Deputy Secretary-General further lauded Ethiopia’s commitment to food systems transformation and its positive social and economic impacts.
Speakers stressed that strong coordination, sound decision-making, and improved agricultural financing systems are essential for enhancing global food systems. They also called for unified action by all stakeholders to bolster farmers’ productivity and resilience in the face of climate change.
The summit brought together over 5,000 participants, featured more than 30 side events, and received coverage from over 180 local and international media outlets.
Ethiopian Cultural and Arts Delegation Holds Performances in China
A cultural delegation led by Minister of Culture and Sports, Shewit Shanka, held a series of performances in Beijing and Dingzhou, Hebei Province, from July 21 to 27. The events highlighted Ethiopia’s traditional music, dance, art, fashion, and coffee ceremony as part of the Kin Ethiopia: Ethiopia Rising Culture and Art Program.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing, and Chinese counterparts, the program aimed to promote Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, strengthen people-to-people ties, and encourage mutual understanding through cultural diplomacy.
The decision to launch the program’s first international tour in China coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and China, reinforcing the bonds between the peoples of these two BRICS+ nations. The initiative highlights the commitment to expanding cooperation beyond trade and investment into cultural exchange.
The opening event on Wednesday (July 24) at the Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing was livestreamed and attracted a wide audience, particularly among Chinese youth. Major Chinese media outlets, including CGTN, Xinhua, China News, and Global Times, covered the events through interviews and reports, helping raise awareness of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage.
The program also included bilateral meetings with Chinese institutions, during which shared values and areas for future collaboration were discussed. Shakura Production, the main organizer, signed memoranda of understanding with the Beijing Foreign Cultural Trade Association, Shanghai Luohi Cultural Development Co. Ltd., and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Special Committee.
Moreover, as part of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, a tree-planting ceremony was held at the Ethiopian Embassy on Saturday (July 26).
The week concluded with a reception hosted by Ambassador Tefera Derbew, Ethiopian Ambassador to China, who acknowledged the delegation’s efforts and emphasized the importance of continued cultural cooperation between Ethiopia and China.
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