By Staff Writer Addis Ababa, August 2, 2026 (ENA—Addis Ababa’s extraordinary week of diplomacy, security dialogue, and continental engagement underscored Ethiopia’s enduring role as Africa’s political crossroads and multilateral capital. In the final week of July 2026, Addis Ababa became one of the world’s busiest diplomatic stages. Within a matter of days, the Ethiopian capital hosted the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, the 2026 African Logistics and Communications Symposium co-organized with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), high-level bilateral meetings with African and international partners, and a series of national discussions on peace, security, and reform. The convergence of these events was more than a crowded diplomatic calendar; it highlighted Ethiopia’s continued strategic relevance as a continental convening power and a critical platform for dialogue, cooperation, and regional problem-solving. The concentration of political, security, and diplomatic engagement reflected Addis Ababa’s unique position in Africa’s institutional architecture. As the headquarters of the African Union and a longstanding center of multilateral diplomacy, the city once again demonstrated its capacity to bring together governments, international organizations, security leaders, and development partners at a time when the continent is confronting increasingly interconnected challenges ranging from climate resilience and infrastructure financing to conflict prevention, humanitarian response, and institutional reform. The African Union sets the continental agenda   The 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council served as the week’s principal political gathering. Convened under the African Union’s 2026 Theme of the Year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safely Managed Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the two-day meeting focused on Africa’s long-term development priorities, institutional effectiveness, and sustainable financing. The session brought together foreign ministers from AU member states, senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives of regional and international organizations. Among the leaders attending the opening ceremony were African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Claver Gatete, and Burundi’s Foreign Minister Édouard Bizimana, who chaired the Executive Council. Deliberations centered on accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063, strengthening regional integration, improving institutional coordination, and advancing policy recommendations for consideration by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The discussions reinforced the Executive Council’s central role in shaping the continent’s political, economic, and development agenda while emphasizing coordinated African responses to shared challenges. Security cooperation and institutional resilience   Running parallel to the AU session, Ethiopia hosted the 2026 African Logistics and Communications Symposium (ALCS26) in partnership with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). The symposium brought together representatives from 39 African countries, the United States, defense experts, military leaders, and technology and industry partners, making it one of the continent’s largest forums dedicated to logistics, communications, and operational coordination. Although the symposium had a defense dimension, its significance extended well beyond military cooperation. Participants focused on logistics systems, communications infrastructure, technological innovation, institutional capacity-building, and operational readiness, all of which are increasingly essential for peace support operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and regional security cooperation. For Ethiopia, the symposium strengthened its position as both a regional security actor and a diplomatic hub. Ethiopian officials emphasized that logistics and communications are strategic enablers of peace, stability, and effective crisis response. Opening the forum, Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed described the symposium as an important platform for collaboration and innovation amid increasingly complex security challenges across Africa. AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin R.M. Anderson stressed that sustained investment in logistics and communications remains critical for strengthening military readiness and regional stability. The successful organization of ALCS26 demonstrated Ethiopia’s ability to convene high-level continental platforms despite a challenging regional security environment and reinforced Addis Ababa’s role as a bridge between African institutions and international partners. Diplomacy beyond the conference halls   The week also featured intensive bilateral diplomacy that expanded Ethiopia’s international engagement beyond multilateral forums. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova paid an official visit to Addis Ababa aimed at strengthening the growing partnership between Ethiopia and Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held discussions with the Speaker focused on deepening bilateral relations, expanding strategic cooperation, and building on the two countries’ shared commitment to economic and diplomatic partnership. Parliamentary diplomacy also advanced through meetings between Gafarova and Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives Speaker Tagesse Chafo. At the same time, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos conducted a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from countries including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and the Republic of the Congo, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation on continental priorities. These engagements illustrated Ethiopia’s broader diplomatic strategy of combining multilateral leadership with expanded bilateral partnerships across Africa and beyond. Peace, reform, and the national conversation While Addis Ababa hosted continental diplomacy, Ethiopia’s internal political trajectory remained a major point of discussion. The week coincided with heightened tensions in the Tigray region, where leaders of the hardline TPLF faction publicly advocated renewed military confrontation with the federal government. Their rhetoric drew criticism from other former TPLF officials, including Getachew Reda, who warned against the consequences of renewed conflict and called for political restraint. In a wide-ranging interview with the Amhara Media Corporation, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed the country’s political, economic, and security concerns. He underscored that Ethiopia has developed greater institutional resilience and state capacity to withstand efforts aimed at destabilizing the country, while emphasizing that internal disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.   The Prime Minister also criticized armed groups operating in parts of the Amhara and Oromia regions and he said Ethiopia’s reform process should be judged through evidence and long-term national interests rather than short-term political calculations. His remarks reflected the government’s broader effort to present national dialogue, institutional reform, and political stability as interconnected components of Ethiopia’s future trajectory. A continental anchor in a fragmented world What made the final week of July particularly significant was not simply the number of meetings held in Addis Ababa, but the breadth of issues addressed simultaneously. Water security, regional integration, defense logistics, communications infrastructure, diplomatic partnerships, peacebuilding, and national reform all converged in a single city within a single week. In an international environment increasingly defined by geopolitical competition, climate pressures, and security fragmentation, the ability to convene diverse actors around common agendas has become a strategic asset. Addis Ababa demonstrated that it remains one of the few places on the continent capable of hosting parallel conversations on development, security, and diplomacy with meaningful continental participation. The week ultimately reinforced Ethiopia’s role as Africa’s diplomatic crossroads, a country whose influence is shaped not only by its geography and institutions but also by its capacity to facilitate dialogue across political, regional, and strategic divides. Whether through the African Union, security cooperation platforms, bilateral diplomacy, or domestic peace initiatives, Ethiopia positioned itself as a country seeking to connect continental aspirations with practical cooperation. For observers across Africa and beyond, the message was clear: Addis Ababa remains one of the continent’s indispensable arenas for diplomacy, peace dialogue, and Africa’s evolving strategic future.

Addis Ababa, August 1, 2026 (ENA—Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia has developed the capacity and institutional resilience to counter any threat to its national existence, while calling for internal disputes to be resolved through dialogue. In a wide-ranging interview with the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC), the Prime Minister said Ethiopia has learned from the failures and divisions of its past and is better prepared to withstand efforts aimed at destabilizing the country or derailing its reform agenda. "Today’s Ethiopia is not the Ethiopia of yesterday," PM Abiy said, arguing that the country is now more aware of its historical vulnerabilities and better equipped to respond to challenges. The Prime Minister criticized armed groups operating in parts of the Amhara and Oromia regions, saying their claims of acting in the public interest are contradicted by their actions on the ground. Drawing on Ethiopia’s historical experience, the Premier said internal actors who aligned with external forces had contributed to major national setbacks, including the loss of access to the Red Sea, which he described as a strategic and historical blow with consequences that extended across generations. He urged Ethiopians to reject a recurring pattern of destructive alliances and instead resolve political differences through the country’s longstanding traditions of reconciliation, dialogue, and community-based conflict resolution.   "Our disagreements can be settled by Ethiopians," he said. "Bringing external forces into internal disputes has never produced lasting peace or national progress," the Prime Minister underscored. Addressing the 2022 Pretoria Agreement that ended the war in northern Ethiopia, PM Abiy described it as a turning point that benefited the entire country by silencing the guns and allowing development to resume. He said the agreement had created conditions for expanded infrastructure, investment, and economic activity in the Amhara, Tigray, and Afar regions, as well as across Ethiopia more broadly. The Prime Minister rejected claims that the Amhara region neither participated in nor benefited from the Pretoria Agreement, calling such assertions false and politically motivated. He said representatives from the region were involved in deliberations at both government and Prosperity Party levels and that implementation of the agreement had supported development in the region. Prime Minister Abiy also framed Ethiopia’s broader national transformation as a long-term process requiring broad public participation, patience, and sustained institutional commitment. "Change is not the achievement of one individual," he said. "It is the result of the sacrifices and efforts of many Ethiopians." He acknowledged that some citizens have legitimate concerns about aspects of the government’s reform agenda and said responding to those concerns remains a government responsibility. At the same time, he argued that conspiracy-driven political narratives detached from facts threaten national cohesion and undermine the country’s future. The Prime Minister further elaborated that Ethiopia’s reform process has generated differing reactions among domestic political actors and members of the diaspora, with some opposition driven by personal interests, misinformation, or unrealistic expectations about the pace and direction of change. He urged citizens to engage constructively in the reform process and evaluate developments based on evidence rather than speculation, warning that short-term political gains should not come at the expense of long-term national interests. Reflecting on Ethiopia’s political history, the PM said the country has repeatedly experienced attempts to seize power through violence, while also possessing a deep tradition of coexistence, integration, and nation-building.   He cited the June 22, 2019, assassinations of senior officials in the Amhara Region as one of the darkest episodes in recent Ethiopian history and warned against politicizing historical tragedies or distorting facts for partisan purposes. "We must learn from both the positive and negative chapters of our history," he said, emphasizing that selective interpretations of history can deepen divisions and harm future generations. PM Abiy concluded that Ethiopia’s future will depend on perseverance, national unity, factual understanding, and the ability to sustain reforms through peaceful political engagement and inclusive development. He also stressed that the country’s transformation must be built collectively rather than through conflict or external intervention.

Addis Ababa, August 1, 2026 (ENA—Ethiopia is emerging as a trendsetter in Africa's development transformation through urban development, adoption of digital technologies and openness to multinational investment, Professor Amos Njuguna, Network of Impact Evaluation Researchers in Africa (NIERA) Chairperson said. The Chairperson of NIERA, a pan-African non-profit empowering decision-makers through evidence-focused evaluations, training, and policy outreach across Africa, also stressed need for accelerating the continent's integration agenda and generate African-led solutions to African problems. Speaking to ENA, Professor Njuguna said Ethiopia's ongoing transformation offers valuable lessons for the continent as African countries work to address common socio-economic challenges through evidence-based policymaking and closer regional cooperation. The Chairperson commended Ethiopia's efforts in urban development, adoption of digital technologies and its openness to multinational investment, noting that such initiatives are accelerating economic transformation. "As a Kenyan, I admire the Ethiopian way," Professor Njuguna said, adding that the country's approach to urban development, use of technology and efforts to attract multinational companies have contributed significantly to advancing development. He cited the operations of Safaricom Ethiopia as an example of how multinational investment can inject new dynamism into key sectors and support national development. Ethiopia, as the home of the African Union and African diplomacy and the cradle of humankind, is well positioned to serve as a trend-setter for advancing solutions to the continent's shared development challenges, the professor stated. According to the NIERA Chairperson, Africa's major challenges—including youth unemployment, food insecurity, health, water and sanitation, climate change and rapid urbanization—are common across the continent and require coordinated responses. He stressed that research plays a pivotal role in identifying development challenges, designing practical solutions and supporting policymakers in making informed decisions. "Resource allocation towards solving these problems should follow research findings," Professor Njuguna said, underscoring the importance of evidence-based policymaking. He called for further strengthening collaboration among African researchers to establish common frameworks that support the continent's integration agenda and generate African-led solutions to African problems. Professor Njuguna also stressed the need for advancing on the initiatives that facilitate the free movement of people, strengthen cooperation and create opportunities for countries to learn from one another while respecting their unique identities. The African Union's Agenda 2063 relies heavily on self-reliance, pan-African drive, and home-grown strategies to achieve sustainable socio-economic transformation.

Addis Ababa, August 1, 2026 (ENA—The outgoing ambassadors of India and Finland praised Ethiopia’s reform momentum and its rising global investment appeal. The diplomats said they had witnessed Ethiopia’s economic transformation firsthand during their tenure, noting that the country’s expanding infrastructure and institutional reforms are strengthening its position as an increasingly attractive destination for international investment and long-term strategic partnerships. Speaking to ENA, the ambassadors highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in economic modernization, democratic governance, and peace-building, expressing confidence that the country’s reform trajectory will continue to deepen. They also expressed confidence that Ethiopia’s reform trajectory would continue to deepen engagement with global investors and development partners. India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, said Ethiopia’s ongoing reforms and major infrastructure projects are laying the foundation for sustained economic growth and enhanced international competitiveness. Drawing on India’s own development experience, Rai said Ethiopia’s rapid urbanization and large-scale infrastructure expansion, including the construction of the new international airport in Bishoftu. He considered it vital mega project to significantly strengthen the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors, particularly in high-value sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and financial technology.   He revealed that additional Indian investments are already in the pipeline, reflecting growing business confidence in Ethiopia’s economic prospects. Rai also described Ethiopia as one of the more stable countries in the Horn of Africa and credited it with playing an important role in promoting regional peace and security. On Ethiopia’s democratic progress, the ambassador commended the strong voter participation in the June 1 general election, particularly the active engagement of young people. He also welcomed the National Dialogue process, describing it as a credible institutional mechanism for resolving differences through peaceful, inclusive, and nationally owned engagement. “The National Dialogue witnessed broad participation from people across all walks of life,” Rai said. He added that: “It demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing differences peacefully while preserving national unity and sustaining its development trajectory.” He further recalled the close cooperation between Ethiopia and India at the United Nations during the challenging period between 2020 and 2023, noting that the two countries consistently shared common positions on major international issues. Rai added that Ethiopia’s membership in BRICS has created new opportunities for strategic cooperation between Addis Ababa and New Delhi, with leaders of both countries maintaining close engagement through BRICS platforms. On her part, outgoing Finnish Ambassador Sinikka Antila also praised Ethiopia’s transformation during her three-year diplomatic assignment, saying the scale of change has been both visible and significant. “Ethiopia is opening. Ethiopia is modernizing. We can physically see the transformation. During my three years in Addis Ababa, the city has changed remarkably,” she said.   Antila said Finland sees expanding opportunities to deepen cooperation with Ethiopia beyond traditional development assistance, particularly in trade, investment, innovation, digital technology, and entrepreneurship. She noted that Finnish companies, including Nokia and Vaisala, are already operating in Ethiopia and emphasized the potential for stronger collaboration in technology, startups, innovation ecosystems, and green economic development. The ambassador also reaffirmed Finland’s support for Ethiopia’s development priorities, including preparations for hosting the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) next year. She disclosed that the Nordic countries are planning to organize a Nordic Electric Vehicle Summit in Ethiopia, further expanding cooperation in sustainable mobility and green technology. While underscoring Finland’s continued support through development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, Antila said future engagement would increasingly focus on business partnerships, private-sector investment, and technology-driven collaboration.

Addis Ababa, August 1, 2026 (ENA—Ethiopia has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing peace, security, and stability in Somalia. The East African nation also reaffirmed its continued support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and regional efforts to safeguard hard-won security gains across the Horn of Africa. The pledge was made during the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AUSSOM, held in Kampala, Uganda, where leaders and representatives of contributing nations discussed the future of the mission and the collective response to persistent security threats in Somalia. Addressing the summit, the Ethiopian delegation stressed that preserving the progress achieved in the fight against terrorism is a shared regional responsibility. Ethiopia renewed its determination to prevent any reversal of the gains secured through years of joint African Union operations and cooperation with Somalia and international partners.   The delegation emphasized that the sacrifices made by thousands of Somali, Ethiopian, Ugandan, Kenyan, Burundian, and Djiboutian soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace must not be allowed to fade. Protecting those gains, it said, is essential for Somalia’s long-term stability and the broader security of the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia reiterated that it will continue to support the African Union’s stabilization efforts and deepen cooperation with regional and international partners to promote sustainable peace, counter terrorism, and strengthen security institutions in Somalia. The summit also highlighted the strategic importance of coordinated regional action as AUSSOM enters a critical phase of supporting Somalia’s security transition and state-building efforts. Ethiopia noted that, for more than two decades, members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces have served under successive African Union missions in Somalia with dedication, professionalism, and courage, contributing significantly to regional peace and security despite considerable human and material sacrifices. The Ethiopian delegation further reaffirmed that lasting peace in Somalia remains indispensable to the security, economic integration, and stability of the wider Horn of Africa, underscoring Ethiopia’s continued commitment to collective African solutions for regional peace and security.

Addis Ababa, July 31, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that advancing toward prosperity through Medemer — Ethiopia’s philosophy of synergy, unity, and collective progress, is the country’s only viable path to ensuring sustainable development and lasting stability. In an interview with the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC), the Prime Minister said Ethiopia’s reform process has been shaped by extensive national consultations aimed at forging a shared vision for nation building, economic transformation, and political stability. He said following the launch of the reform agenda in 2018, the government conducted broad consultations with institutions, experts, political actors, and communities across the country.   The endeavors have hugely helped explore Ethiopia’s development potential and the conditions necessary for collaborative nation building, PM Abiy pointed out. Particularly, the Premier these consultations enabled to establish a clear national direction by building consensus around the need for inclusive political and economic reforms. He noted that public consultations held across Ethiopia enabled the government to better understand citizens’ aspirations and concerns. The discussions, including those conducted in the Amhara Region, showed that Ethiopians share fundamentally similar aspirations for peace, development, justice, and national progress. The Prime Minister said political fragmentation and economic division emerged as two of the most pressing challenges identified during the consultation process. The reform discussions, he added, generated ideas aimed at healing these divisions and fostering a more cohesive national future. PM Abiy stressed that opening either the political sphere or the economy in isolation would not be sufficient to produce lasting change. Sustainable progress, he argued, requires simultaneous political and economic transformation founded on cooperation, inclusion, and a shared national purpose. “As a result, we adopted a framework that recognizes that marching together toward prosperity through Medemer is the only path capable of guaranteeing Ethiopia’s survival,” the prime minister said. Given the historical context of Ethiopia’s state formation, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed devoted significant attention to the longstanding relationship between the Amhara and Oromo peoples. He described them as foundational pillars of the country’s nation-building process and national development. He said the two communities have been interconnected for centuries through intermarriage, political alliances, trade, cultural exchange, and shared institutions, making their relationship one of the cornerstones of Ethiopia’s historical evolution. The Prime Minister elaborated that the Amhara and Oromo, who together constitute a substantial share of Ethiopia’s population and territory — have developed deep social and political ties through traditional marriages, customary adoption systems, and longstanding alliances.   He cited historical examples including the Shewa and Yifat Sultanates, as well as the Gondar, Yeju, and Were Himenu dynasties, as evidence of the extensive integration that has shaped Ethiopia over centuries. PM Abiy said Ethiopia’s peoples have advanced, struggled, and dreamed together throughout history, and that modern Ethiopia emerged from this long process of integration and collective endeavor. “It is impossible to imagine Emperor Menelik II without Ras Gobena, or Ras Gobena without Emperor Menelik II,” he said. “Modern Ethiopia was built through the integration and joint efforts of these great peoples.” The Prime Minister described the Victory of Adwa as the clearest expression of Ethiopia’s national unity. He stated that leaders from different regions and communities fought side by side to defend the country’s sovereignty and secure a historic victory against colonial aggression. He also cited the Gojam and Bale peasant uprisings as examples of the shared struggle of Ethiopians against feudal oppression and for justice and social transformation. PM Abiy concluded that centuries of coexistence, trade, intermarriage, and social integration have created a distinctive Ethiopian tradition of unity in diversity. This historical legacy remains one of the country’s greatest strategic strengths as Ethiopia pursues peace, prosperity, and national renewal, the Premier stated.

Addis Ababa, July 31, 2026 (ENA) — Myanmar plans to send a delegation to Ethiopia to study the country's National Dialogue process, describing Ethiopia's approach to promoting peace and addressing the root causes of conflict as a valuable model worthy of emulation. The commitment was made during talks between Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing and Ethiopia's Ambassador to Japan and Special Envoy, Ambassador Daba Debele. According to a social media post by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, regional issues, and matters concerning Ethiopian nationals residing in Myanmar. During the meeting, President Min Aung Hlaing said Ethiopia and Myanmar face similar contemporary challenges, particularly in addressing the underlying causes of disagreements and conflicts. He commended Ethiopia's progress in advancing an inclusive National Dialogue despite complex domestic and external challenges, describing the country's experience as admirable and one from which valuable lessons can be drawn. To benefit from Ethiopia's experience, the president said Myanmar will dispatch a dedicated delegation to Ethiopia to closely study the National Dialogue process. Ambassador Daba Debele briefed the Myanmar president on Ethiopia's recent political and economic developments, noting that the country has been registering rapid economic growth through its macroeconomic reforms while successfully overcoming domestic and external challenges. The ambassador also highlighted Ethiopia's ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening peace, stability, and national development, while reaffirming the country's commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation with Myanmar. President Min Aung Hlaing further congratulated Ethiopia on the peaceful conduct of its recent general election and extended his best wishes to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He said Ethiopia's resilience and continued progress offer valuable lessons for countries confronting similar challenges, expressing confidence that the country's experience could serve as an important reference for Myanmar's own peacebuilding efforts.

Addis Ababa, July 31, 2026 (ENA) — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has officially reopened its Mission in Khartoum, marking renewed regional engagement to support peace and stability in Sudan and the wider Horn of Africa, following Sudan’s return to full IGAD participation earlier this year. IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, officially reopened the mission during his high-level visit to Sudan, reaffirming the regional bloc's commitment to supporting a Sudanese-led path toward lasting peace and recovery. In a post on his X account, the Executive Secretary said the mission would resume its role as a vital link between IGAD, the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese people, strengthening dialogue, partnership and cooperation. "As a testament to IGAD's unwavering commitment to Sudan's journey towards peace, stability, and recovery, today I officially reopened the IGAD Mission to the Republic of Sudan," Workneh said. He added that the reopening reflects IGAD's renewed commitment to supporting dialogue and accompanying Sudan in its pursuit of lasting peace and recovery. During his visit to Khartoum, Workneh held discussions with officials in Khartoum on the current situation in Sudan and the collective responsibility to advance a lasting Sudanese-led peace process. He also held a meeting with Kamil Idris, Prime Minister of Sudan, in Khartoum, regarding the actions needed to advance Sudan’s journey toward peace, stability, and recovery. ‘‘As IGAD, we remain committed to supporting Sudan’s pursuit of lasting peace and sustainable recovery. This journey will require concerted action by the Government, IGAD, and our partners, united by one shared goal: restoring a safe and stable Sudan for its people,” he said. He noted that IGAD will continue supporting efforts toward peace, stability and recovery in Sudan. "The future of our region is inseparable from the future of Sudan," Workneh said, emphasizing that peace in Sudan is vital not only for regional stability but also for millions of Sudanese people affected by the conflict. The Executive Secretary's visit to Khartoum was aimed at engaging the Sudanese leadership, assessing developments on the ground and strengthening dialogue, regional solidarity and cooperation. The reopening of the mission comes as IGAD strengthens its engagement with Sudan following the country's return to active participation in the regional organization, creating renewed opportunities for regional cooperation and coordinated efforts toward peace. Sudan's stability remains closely linked to peace and security across the Horn of Africa, where IGAD continues to play a central role in promoting dialogue and regional cooperation. Ethiopia, as a founding member of IGAD and host to several of the organization's regional offices, has consistently supported regional mechanisms aimed at addressing shared challenges and advancing peace and stability.