National Dialogue Commission Presents its Implementation Report
Ethiopia and U.S. Hold Talks in Washington on Bilateral and Regional Issues
Arabic Edition of Medemer Mengist Officially Launched in Abu Dhabi
Ethiopia Launches High-Level Economic Diplomacy Tour for Addis Ababa-Based Diplomatic Corps
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has presented updates on its ongoing activities and upcoming plans in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior government officials on Friday (May 15). (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy on Monday (May 18) attended the national summit and exhibition held under the theme “Data Sovereignty for Policy Autonomy,” which celebrated Ethiopia’s monumental achievement in its journey toward data and statistical sovereignty.
On Sunday (May 17), Prime Minister Abiy along with Aliko Dangote visited the project site in Gode, Somali region of Ethiopia to assess the progress of construction work. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced significant progress on Ethiopia’s major fertilizer production project being developed in partnership with Dangote Group.
PM Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Gelan Gura Industrial Park in Addis Ababa on Saturday (May 16).
Recent engagements between Ethiopia and the United States in Washington, D.C. underscored the commitment of both countries to further strengthening their longstanding bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest. (See article)
The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Abu Dhabi hosted the official launch ceremony of the Arabic edition of “Medemer Mengist” (“Medemer State”), a major philosophical and governance work authored by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, on Thursday (May 14), at the Inter-Continental Hotel Abu Dhabi. (See article)
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos on Monday (May 18) received the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Waleed Elkhereiji, for discussions on bilateral relations and regional issues of common interest.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera paid a courtesy call on Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar on Tuesday (May 19) and held a productive discussion on enhancing bilateral relationship between the two countries. He also co-chaired the 3rd Ethiopia–Qatar Political Consultation alongside State Minister Sultan bin Saad bin Sultan Al Muraikhi.
State Minister Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye on Monday (May 18) participated in the opening of the First Horn Inter‑Elite Dialogue, Jigjiga Forum, themed “Strengthening Regional Agency for Durable Peace in the Horn of Africa.” It is jointly organized by the Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Centre for Responsible and Peaceful Politics, the Hankaal Institute, and the Somali Region administration.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in coordination with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has officially launched a high-level economic diplomacy tour for the Addis Ababa based diplomatic corps on Tuesday (May 19). The program brought together more than 80 Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, and Economic Attachés, alongside senior executives from regional and international development organizations. The initiative aims to provide international representatives with direct, verifiable insight into the country’s accelerating industrial, technological, and agricultural sectors. (See article)
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, briefed the media on Ethiopia’s diplomatic engagements, highlighting key areas including recent Ethiopia–U.S. engagements, the Ethiopia–UN 80-year partnership, Ethiopia’s engagement with BRICS, President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, and citizen-centered diplomacy.
Kenya
President William Ruto participated in the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum held in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday (May 18).
Africa and the African Union
Ambassador Hirut Zemene on Monday (May 18) paid a farewell call on the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, following the successful completion of her tenure as Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
National Dialogue Commission Presents its Implementation Report
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission presented updates on its ongoing activities and upcoming plans in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior government officials on Friday (May 15).
During the session, Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya and Deputy Chief Commissioner Hiroute Gebresellassie presented the major activities undertaken by the Commission. Among its key achievements is the identification of inclusive and representative participants for the dialogue process. The Commission also successfully collected and identified public agendas across 1,234 woredas nationwide.
The Commission further outlined the progress achieved so far, remaining priorities, and the next steps planned in the national dialogue process. Discussions also focused on key achievements, implementation challenges, possible solutions, and the expected role of stakeholders in supporting the process moving forward.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy commended the efforts of the Commission and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the national dialogue process without interference. He further stated that the government is prepared to consider and implement policy recommendations that may emerge from the dialogue process.
The meeting brought together senior federal government officials, regional and city administration presidents, ministers, other high-level government representatives, and Commissioners of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC).
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was established in 2021 through Proclamation No. 1265/2021 to foster broad and inclusive national dialogue, based on the understanding that Ethiopia’s challenges cannot be resolved through conflict and division.
Ethiopia and U.S. Hold Talks in Washington on Bilateral and Regional Issues
Recent engagements between Ethiopia and the United States in Washington, D.C. underscored the commitment of both countries to further strengthening their longstanding bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
On 11 May 2026, Ethiopia and the United States held bilateral consultations aimed at advancing relations between the two countries. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and included Macroeconomic Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ambassador Girma Birru, as well as Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, Ambassador Redwan Hussein. The delegation held discussions with their counterparts from the United States.
Ethiopia and the United States of America signed a Bilateral Structured Dialogue (BSD) Framework in Washington, D.C. on 11 May 2026 aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries, while expanding opportunities for cooperation on bilateral, regional, and other issues of mutual interest. The Framework was signed by Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and T.H. Allison Hooker, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, on behalf of the United States
The Bilateral Structured Dialogue (BSD) focused on three key areas: economic prosperity, trade and investment; defense and security cooperation; and the promotion of regional peace and stability. The establishment of the bilateral consultation framework is expected to further strengthen and sustain the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and the United States.
As part of the visit, Foreign Minister Gedion also held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions focused on ways of further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the United States, as well as regional issues of mutual interest. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to building on the solid foundation of cooperation and advancing an even stronger partnership between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Gedion also met with various US lawmakers including with Chair of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Congressman Brian Mast where the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Horn of Africa and agreed on the importance of closer coordination to achieve comprehensive and lasting solutions to the regional challenges.
In addition to the official meetings, Foreign Minister Gedion engaged with researchers and area specialists from various leading think tanks at the Hudson Institute. During the roundtable discussion, the Minister presented Ethiopia’s economic growth and prosperity model alongside the country’s political outlook. He also briefed participants on the latest regional developments and geopolitical dynamics shaping the Horn of Africa.
Through discussions and an in-depth question-and-answer session, Minister Gedion underscored that peace, stability, and security remain the cornerstones of Ethiopia’s vision and essential foundations for advancing all-round prosperity for both Ethiopia and the wider region.
Arabic Edition of Medemer Mengist Officially Launched in Abu Dhabi
The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Abu Dhabi hosted the official launch ceremony of the Arabic edition of “Medemer Mengist” (“Medemer State”), a major philosophical and governance work authored by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, on Thursday (May 14), at the Inter-Continental Hotel Abu Dhabi.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, and Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice of the United Arab Emirates, alongside senior UAE government officials and a distinguished gathering of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions representing nations from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, as well as leaders from the private sector and civil society.
In his keynote address, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan underscored the importance of dialogue and cultural understanding among nations and peoples, while highlighting the strong and steadily growing relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. His Excellency reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Ethiopia across cultural, economic, and diplomatic dimensions.
Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Arab Emirates, emphasized the transformative significance of the Arabic translation. The Ambassador described the publication not merely as a linguistic undertaking, but as a bridge, a deliberate invitation for Arabic-speaking readers across the region to engage directly with Ethiopia’s evolving political philosophy and its vision for national and regional development.
The launch ceremony featured a scholarly presentation by prominent Ethiopian Academic Professor Adem Kamil, who offered a comprehensive intellectual review of Medemer Mengist and its policy dimensions. Professor Kamil highlighted the book’s philosophical grounding in the principle of synergy, the conviction that collective effort, guided by shared values and inclusive institutions, generates outcomes far greater than the sum of individual parts. He further noted the particular relevance of the Medemer framework for Arab-African relations, as both regions continue to navigate the issues of governance, development, identity, and regional integration in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The ceremony further included cultural performances showcasing Ethiopia’s rich artistic and musical heritage. Traditional Ethiopian music and dance performances brought the vibrancy of the country’s diverse communities to the heart of Abu Dhabi, while an exquisite selection of Ethiopian culinary offerings allowed guests to experience the country’s storied gastronomic traditions.
Ethiopia Launches High-Level Economic Diplomacy Tour for Addis Ababa-Based Diplomatic Corps
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in coordination with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has officially launched a high-level economic diplomacy tour for the Addis Ababa based diplomatic corps on Tuesday (May 19). The program brought together more than 80 Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, and Economic Attachés, alongside senior executives from regional and international development organizations. The initiative aims to provide international representatives with direct, verifiable insight into the country’s accelerating industrial, technological, and agricultural sectors.
Director General of Public Diplomacy Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Roza Yerukneh, welcomed the delegation, expressing deep appreciation to the Ethiopian Investment Commission for organizing the joint initiative. Ambassador Roza highlighted Ethiopia’s position as the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, underpinned by a market of over 130 million people, a productive youth population exceeding 54 million, and a robust 6.5% average GDP growth rate over the past four years.
On the regulatory and policy front, the Director General emphasized the success of the Home-Grown Economic Reforms launched in 2019, which opened formerly closed strategic sectors including telecommunications and finance to foreign private capital. She noted that the country is aggressively expanding its renewable energy infrastructure via hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal projects most notably the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to scale power capacity from 4,500 MW to 19,900 MW by 2030.
Furthermore, she detailed that Ethiopia has targeted over $58 billion in investments to establish itself as an East African logistics hub, offering seamless global export access through the AfCFTA, EBA, COMESA, Ethiopian Airlines, and upcoming WTO membership. Ambassador Roza underscored that the event offers an unmatched opportunity for foreign envoys to move beyond forums and verify Ethiopia’s investment-ready landscape firsthand.
Concluding her remarks, she emphasized that economic cooperation serves as a critical pillar to sustain comprehensive bilateral relations, encouraging diplomats to connect their home business communities with Ethiopia’s operational special economic zones for mutual prosperity.
Fitsum Ketema, Deputy CEO of the Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC), also addressed the delegation, sharing that the corporation currently develops and manages 14 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks across the nation. Fitsum stated that these world-class facilities are structurally designed to promote industrialization, export growth, technology transfer, and job creation. He revealed that more than 300 investment projects are actively operating across these SEZs, including the ICT Park, collectively employing over 100,000 citizens. He noted that the joint tour serves a vital dual purpose: attracting new global capital while systematically strengthening institutional support for existing operational investments.
Following the opening addresses, the diplomatic delegation commenced its field program with a series of site visits across major industrial, technological, and agricultural centers in and around the capital. The tour began at the Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone, where diplomats observed large-scale, export-oriented textile and apparel manufacturing operations managed by the IPDC.
The delegation then proceeded to the Kilinto Special Economic Zone, a dedicated hub where officials briefed the visitors on specialized infrastructure designed to support pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. The itinerary also included a stop at the ICT Park, providing the envoys with an overview of Ethiopia’s digital economy foundations and data center operations.
The delegation next stopped at Joytech PLC, where corporate executives delivered a technical presentation on cutting-edge vertical farming and global horticultural export channels. The one-day field program officially concluded at AMG Holding, where diplomats observed local corporate scaling and industrial manufacturing capacity.
During this final stop, the delegation was given a comprehensive tour of the holding company’s manufacturing facilities, showcasing how domestic Ethiopian enterprises are successfully scaling operations to meet international standards. Corporate executives briefed the envoys on AMG Holding’s diversified portfolio, highlighting its contributions to import substitution and local value addition in key industrial sectors.
Envoys observed firsthand the integration of modern manufacturing technologies and the employment opportunities generated for the local workforce. The visit underscored the critical role that robust domestic partnerships play in supporting foreign direct investment and building resilient supply chains within Ethiopia’s expanding economy.
The joint initiative reflects the Ethiopian government’s ongoing economic diplomacy strategy, utilizing direct exposure to national infrastructure to foster international trade partnerships and secure foreign direct investment.
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