Ethiopia Holds Historic National Dialogue Conference
Prime Minister Abiy Inaugurates King Tekle Haymanot Airport in Debre Markos
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Ethiopia opened a historic chapter on Wednesday (July 15) as the National Dialogue Conference convened in Addis Ababa, drawing more than 4,000 delegates from across the country and the diaspora for a three-week deliberation seeking common ground on some of the nation’s most consequential political, social, and economic questions. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with the President of AfriExim Bank, George Elombi, and the Board of Directors of the Bank on Wednesday (July 15). The discussions focused on advancing partnerships, growth, and opportunities for Africa’s future.
PM Abiy also welcomed the EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on the same day. Discussions centered on key priority areas of mutual interest, focusing on strengthening EU-Africa relations.
Prime Minister Abiy traveled to Qatar on Monday (July 13) to pay his respects following the passing of Qatar’s former Amir and HH Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The visit reflected the longstanding friendship between Ethiopia and Qatar and honored the legacy of a leader who left a lasting impact on the region and the world.
Earlier that day, PM Abiy received the President of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, for discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Abiy inaugurated the King Tekle Haymanot Airport on Sunday (July 12). The airport, which had been out of service for nearly 30 years, has now been modernized and rebuilt to a higher standard. With a newly constructed 2,400-meter-long and 30-meter-wide runway, the airport can now accommodate large passenger and cargo aircraft, including the Q400 and Boeing 737. (See article)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos held talks on Wednesday (July 15) with Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further enhancing the Ethio-EU partnership across all sectors of cooperation.
FM Gedion held talks with Germany’s State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office, Géza Andreas von Geyr, on Monday (July 14). The two sides discussed cooperation on skilled labor, climate change mitigation and resilience, and exchanged views on regional developments and the situation in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a press statement issued on Monday (July 13), stated that it remains closely engaged with the relevant authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on matters affecting Ethiopian nationals in the Kingdom, including individuals facing legal proceedings and judicial measures. The Ministry reaffirmed that the Government of Ethiopia attaches the highest importance to the welfare, protection, and provision of consular assistance to its citizens abroad.
Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), launching a two-day national stakeholder workshop in Addis Ababa. Co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the event brought together government institutions, international partners, security experts, and public health professionals to review Ethiopia’s legal and policy frameworks, improve coordination between agencies, and strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices. (See article)
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera delivered the closing remarks at the inauguration of Ethiopian Airlines’ new Addis Ababa–Port Louis route on Saturday (July 11). The new route is expected to strengthen the longstanding friendship between Ethiopia and Mauritius, enhance African connectivity, and create new opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people ties.
Ambassador Hadera met with Mauritius’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Dhananjay Ramful, and Minister of National Infrastructure, Govindranath Gunness, on Friday (July 17). The discussions focused on ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Mauritius.
State Minister Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye met with Qatar’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Saad Mubarak Saad Al Jafali Al Naimi, on Wednesday (July 15) to discuss ways to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Qatar.
Africa and the African Union
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, visited the premises of the African Union Mission for Mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL) in Bamako on Monday (July 13). During his visit to Mali, he was also received by General Assimi Goïta, President of the Republic of Mali, at the Palais de Koulouba, where they discussed issues of mutual interest.
Ethiopia Holds Historic National Dialogue Conference
Ethiopia opened a historic chapter on Wednesday (July 15) as the National Dialogue Conference convened in Addis Ababa, drawing more than 4,000 delegates from across the country and the diaspora for a three-week deliberation seeking common ground on some of the nation’s most consequential political, social, and economic questions.
The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, senior federal and regional government officials. Also present were the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo; the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu; and members of the diplomatic corps as well as invited guests.
In his welcoming remarks, Chief Commissioner and Chairperson of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, Mesfin Araya, described the National Dialogue Conference as a historic opportunity to chart Ethiopia’s political and social future, promote national healing, and build a stronger nation for future generations. He said the conference provides a platform for Ethiopians to listen to one another, acknowledge shared experiences and historical grievances, and work toward a common vision for the country.
Commissioner Mesfin also highlighted the extensive preparations undertaken by the Commission since its establishment. These included developing transparent operational procedures to ensure the dialogue’s credibility, identifying inclusive and representative participants from across Ethiopian society, conducting nationwide agenda-gathering to identify the root causes of national challenges, and implementing public awareness campaigns to enhance understanding of the dialogue’s objectives and encourage broad public ownership of the process.
During his opening remarks, Prime Minister Abiy described the National Dialogue as a historic opportunity to break Ethiopia’s longstanding cycle of political conflict and resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation. He said the four-year preparation process reflected a deliberate effort to replace decision-making by a few with an inclusive, nationwide consultation involving Ethiopians from all walks of life.
The Prime Minister noted that while Ethiopia’s history is rich and ancient, it has often been marked by political disputes that escalate into violence. He emphasized that the National Dialogue offers an opportunity to end this pattern by fostering mutual understanding, peaceful deliberation, and nationally owned solutions. He also stressed that Ethiopia’s internal differences should be resolved through dialogue without allowing external actors to exploit divisions or undermine the country’s national interests.
Calling on delegates to focus on the interests of future generations, the Prime Minister encouraged them to use the conference to build a lasting foundation for peace, national unity, democratic governance, and sustainable development. He expressed confidence that a successful dialogue would strengthen Ethiopia’s culture of peaceful political transition and leave a legacy that benefits generations to come.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, congratulated Ethiopia on the official launch of its historic National Dialogue Conference and reaffirmed the African Union’s unwavering support for the process. He commended the dialogue for its scale, inclusiveness, and nationally owned approach, describing it as a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to address national challenges through peaceful and constructive engagement. Ambassador Adeoye expressed confidence that the dialogue would contribute to lasting peace, sustainable development, national cohesion, and Ethiopia’s continued transformation, while reaffirming the African Union’s commitment to supporting the process throughout its implementation.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the National Dialogue, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu emphasized that no country has ever been built or prospered through conflict. While acknowledging that political differences are a natural part of any society, he stressed that attempting to resolve them through force is a fundamental mistake, underscoring that dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful engagement are the only sustainable path to lasting solutions. He further noted that Ethiopia possesses a rich tradition of indigenous dialogue, mediation, and consensus-building mechanisms, which can serve as a strong foundation for the success of the National Dialogue process.
Former Nigerian President and African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, addressing the launch of the National Dialogue, highlighted Ethiopia’s rich history, diversity, and the resilience of its people. He emphasized that the success of the National Dialogue will be instrumental in realizing the country’s shared aspirations and building a brighter, more peaceful, and prosperous future for generations to come.
Convened by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, the conference represents the culmination of Four years-long journey, one that has carried the country from grassroots consultation toward structured dialogue. Delegates drawn from every corner of Ethiopian society, community representatives, civil society and religious leaders, professional associations, and voices from the diaspora, will spend the coming weeks engaging eight agenda pillars shaped directly by citizens themselves: state-building, identity and history; government structure and federalism; the status of federal cities including Addis Ababa; religious affairs; rule of law and human rights; socio-economic development; anti-corruption; and peacebuilding and reconciliation.
According to the Commission, these themes were drawn from consultations spanning 1,234 districts, alongside sustained engagement with Ethiopians abroad, underscoring an agenda rooted in public voice rather than political prescription. Following years of careful preparation, the conference is widely seen as a defining moment in Ethiopia’s contemporary history, a platform for reflection, reconciliation, and the shared work of shaping the nation’s path forward.
Prime Minister Abiy Inaugurates King Tekle Haymanot Airport in Debre Markos
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the King Tekle Haymanot Airport on Sunday (July 12). The airport, which had been out of service for nearly 30 years, has now been modernized and rebuilt to a higher standard. With a newly constructed 2,400-meter-long, 30-meter-wide runway, the airport can now accommodate large passenger and cargo aircraft, including the Q400 and Boeing 737.
During the inauguration, Prime Minister Abiy underscored Debre Markos’s historical significance and its longstanding role as a vital link connecting different parts of the country, noting that the city is now poised to reclaim that role through the airport’s reopening. He welcomed the commencement of flights, expected to operate up to three times a day, and called on citizens to embrace development with a spirit of unity and mutual respect under the Medemer philosophy.
Meaningful development, he said, requires patience, resources, cooperation, and time; lasting progress is not achieved overnight, but through sustained commitment and collective effort. While acknowledging Ethiopia’s rich history, he noted that the country’s greatest needs remain development, prosperity, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen to one another. The Prime Minister further called on citizens to work together to build a better future for coming generations by closing existing gaps and strengthening national unity.
Highlighting the symbolic importance of planting a tree during his visit, as part of this year’s green legacy initiative, he encouraged the people to leave a lasting legacy by nurturing unity, growth, and shared responsibility. No meaningful achievement, he reiterated, comes without hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice, urging all Ethiopians to contribute to building a more prosperous and peaceful country for generations.
The commencement of operations at the airport is expected to significantly boost trade, investment, and tourism in the area, opening a new chapter in the economic growth of both the region and the country as a whole.
Ethiopia Hosts National Stakeholders Workshop to Strengthen Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention
Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), launching a two-day national stakeholder workshop in Addis Ababa. Co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the event brought together government institutions, international partners, security experts, and public health professionals to review Ethiopia’s legal and policy frameworks, improve coordination between agencies, and strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices.
Addressing the workshop, Lemessa Hatau, Acting Director of the Peace and Security Directorate, gave a detailed overview of Ethiopia’s implementation record. He confirmed that Ethiopia ratified the BWC on 26 May 1975, just two months after it entered into force, making it one of the earliest States Parties, and that Ethiopia has consistently declared it does not possess, produce, or maintain biological weapons or related production facilities. He explained that two National Contact Points, one at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, coordinate the country’s implementation efforts, with technical support from the Bio and Emerging Technologies Institute.
He also recalled a July 2023 coordination meeting, organized with UNODA and EU funding, that brought together representatives from fifteen government institutions to review Ethiopia’s legislative framework. Despite this progress, Lemessa said further work is needed to strengthen institutional coordination and fully meet the country’s treaty obligations.
In her remarks to the workshop, Counsellor Hirut Habtamu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored that effective and universal implementation of the Convention remains fundamental to international peace and security, particularly as rapid advances in science and technology make biosafety and biosecurity infrastructure more important for developing countries. She confirmed that Ethiopia neither possesses nor manufactures biological weapons and pointed to the country’s recent Confidence-Building Measures report as evidence of its ongoing compliance, noting that it documents national legislation, regulatory frameworks, biosafety standards, and vaccine production capacity.
At the same time, she acknowledged that gaps remain: some national laws need updating to better reflect the Convention’s provisions, and coordination among national focal points and relevant institutions needs to improve. She called for continued international technical assistance to strengthen public health preparedness and scientific research capacity, and reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to working toward a world free of biological weapons.
Addressing the workshop, UNODA Legal Officer James Pettit stressed that strong national legislation and cross-sector cooperation are essential to addressing biological threats, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted the timing of the event, which falls on the 50th anniversary of the BWC’s entry into force and the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, both landmark moments in the effort to prohibit biological and chemical weapons.
Also speaking at the opening, Jason Tulk, Counsellor at the Embassy of Canada, reaffirmed Canada’s continued support through its Weapons Threat Reduction Program, which funds biosafety, biosurveillance, and non-proliferation initiatives across Africa.
Over its two days, the workshop identified legislative and institutional gaps, strengthened cooperation among national agencies, and developed practical recommendations for improving Ethiopia’s implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention.
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