Addis Ababa, December 13, 2025 (ENA) —Outgoing New Zealand Ambassador Michael Upton praised Ethiopia’s visible physical transformation while reaffirming his country’s commitment to expanding engagement across diverse spheres. Following the completion of his tenure as New Zealand’s envoy to Ethiopia, Ambassador Upton recently held talks with President Taye Atske Selassie and subsequently gave an exclusive interview to ENA. Citing his conversation with the president, the ambassador noted that, despite the currently modest trade relationship, New Zealand is seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade, services, and technology. “We have a small trade relationship, and we are exploring ways to grow it, particularly in the areas of services and technology. We also have development cooperation in areas such as geothermal energy, food systems, climate-smart agriculture, and education scholarships,” he noted. He also highlighted New Zealand’s ongoing support in geothermal energy development, agro-food systems, climate-smart agriculture, education, scholarships, and humanitarian assistance. Upton also emphasized the importance of Ethiopia’s aspiration toward resilience and self-reliance. The ambassador acknowledged the visible transformations taking place in Addis Ababa, stating that the physical changes in the city are “undeniable.” He underlined the need to focus as well on addressing the human cost of development as part of a resilient nation including issues related to housing, public transportation, and support for vulnerable communities. Speaking on Ethiopia’s far-reaching reforms, Ambassador Upton observed that the country is advancing key initiatives, including homegrown economic reforms, the national dialogue process, and efforts toward accountability and transitional justice, describing them as complex, long-term processes unfolding in parallel. The ambassador shared his views on the geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, highlighting Ethiopia’s leading role and its commitment to maintaining dialogue with neighboring countries to promote regional stability. The outgoing ambassador expressed hope that win-win solutions would prevail through sustained dialogue to ensure durable regional stability. He particularly urged countries in the Horn of Africa to capitalize on their shared interests. Upton said New Zealand is finalizing arrangements with the African Union to establish a facility that will support Ethiopia and other countries in the region in geothermal development. He further confirmed that New Zealand will continue its scholarship program, with Ethiopian students set to travel to New Zealand in the coming year to study geothermal energy and agriculture. Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and New Zealand are rooted in early informal support dating back to the 1930s, when New Zealand backed Ethiopia’s sovereignty at the League of Nations following Italy’s invasion of the country. This gesture is widely regarded as the foundation of the long-standing goodwill between the two nations. The relationship has since been strengthened through formal diplomatic engagement. Notably, New Zealand opened its embassy in Addis Ababa in June 2013. In turn, the Ethiopian Embassy in Canberra has been accredited to cover New Zealand, further solidifying bilateral ties.

Addis Ababa, December 13, 2025 (ENA) — A nationwide public dialogue, which brought together citizens and leaders to collectively reflect on national achievements, examine persistent challenges, and reinforce ownership of the country’s reform and transformation journey, is underway across cities in Ethiopia. Themed “The Virtues of Guba: Achievements of the Medemer State ”, the dialogue series is set to take place this weekend in more than 25 cities, including Adama, Jimma, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Gode, Dire Dawa, Bonga, and Wolayta Soddo. Despite geographic and socio-cultural diversity, all discussions are guided by a unified national theme and agenda. The dialogues form part of a broader nationwide civic engagement initiative aimed at fostering an inclusive national conversation around the Medemer State philosophy. The philosophy emphasizes unity, cooperation, collective responsibility, and homegrown solutions as foundations for sustainable national progress. The dialogues seek to consolidate achievements realized through close cooperation between the government and the people, deepen public ownership of development outcomes, and gather constructive public input to guide future national priorities. It also aim to move beyond past divisive political paradigms by promoting a shared national narrative rooted in common purpose and mutual responsibility. Participants drawn from diverse segments of society — including religious leaders, elders, youth and women, business communities, investors, professionals, and scholars — are actively engaging in the discussions, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the Medemer approach. The dialogues focus on the major achievements of the Medemer State philosophy, progress made in addressing long-standing public demands, and upcoming national initiatives described as “next-phase promises.” Across the cities, residents acknowledged that multi-sectoral development efforts in recent years have produced tangible and people-centered results. In Adama, participants highlighted corridor development projects, agricultural transformation — particularly in wheat, fruits, and vegetables — improved service delivery, and urban modernization as key milestones that have visibly transformed the city and improved livelihoods.     The residents also praised major national projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), fertilizer manufacturing initiative, natural gas development, and Ethiopia’s renewed pursuit of sovereign access to sea, describing them as strategic investments in long-term national resilience. However, the speakers also emphasized that rising living costs, unemployment, housing shortages, and service quality gaps still require sustained, coordinated action from both government and citizens. In Dire Dawa, participants noted that development and good governance reforms implemented following the national reform process have addressed core public concerns, stressing the need to further strengthen and institutionalize these gains.     The residents cited progress in road and corridor construction, agriculture, mining, industry, tourism, and youth-focused initiatives. Women participants pointed to encouraging advances in women’s leadership and decision-making roles, while religious leaders underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in promoting peace, unity, and social cohesion. Youth representatives welcomed the acknowledgment of unemployment challenges and called for expanded job creation and deeper governance reforms. In Bahir Dar, participants underscored that ensuring peace remains the cornerstone for realizing the large-scale, intergenerational development projects underway across the Amhara Region and the country at large.     The residents praised the government for launching and advancing strategic infrastructure and development initiatives, describing them as investments that benefit both present and future generations. They also commended the elevation of Ethiopia’s long-standing sea access question into a national strategic agenda grounded in legal, economic, and practical considerations, emphasizing the need for unity and public support to ensure success. Officials facilitating the dialogues explained that the discussion documents were developed based on questions, grievances, and feedback raised by citizens in previous engagements, particularly concerning social services, development performance, cost of living pressures, unemployment, and peace. They stated that the dialogues are designed not only to assess how far the government has progressed in addressing these concerns, but also to reinforce the constitutional principle that sovereign power ultimately resides with the people. Senior officials emphasized that sustained public dialogues enhance government implementation capacity, strengthen accountability, and deepen civic participation; all of which are essential for delivering durable solutions to long-standing challenges. Across all cities, participants consistently called for stronger measures to curb cost of living, create employment opportunities, and improve housing supply, among others. Officials reaffirmed that the government will enhance efforts in innovation, particularly in agricultural productivity, job creation, digital services, industrial development, and social protection. They further stressed that organized, informed, and constructive public participation remains critical to translating national commitments into concrete results and elevate Ethiopia’s development trajectory to a higher and more sustainable level.

Addis Ababa, December 13, 2025 (ENA) —Ethiopia has reaffirmed its strong support for the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), emphasizing the importance of collective approaches to global challenges. State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew made the remarks while participating in the 120th Session of the OACPS Council of Ministers in Brussels, Belgium. In her address, Semereta highlighted the organisation’s achievements since its establishment in 1975, particularly its role in fostering South–South solidarity and international cooperation. She also outlined priority areas for OACPS intervention, including institutional reform, financial sustainability, trade and investment promotion, sustainable development, and peace and stability. The 120th Session is discussing key agenda items, such as measures to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness, preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit in March 2026, and other administrative matters.

Addis Ababa, December 13, 2025 (ENA)— Ethiopia and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on military cooperation, marking a significant step toward strengthening joint efforts to address regional security challenges, including cross-border crime and terrorism. The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa following high-level talks between Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Engineer Aisha Mohammed, and Congo’s Minister of National Defense, Lieutenant General Charles Richard Monjo. ​​​​​​Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Aisha underscored the importance of the MoU in enhancing collaboration amid an increasingly complex global and regional security environment. She stressed that closer defense cooperation is essential for effectively responding to shared security threats. Under the agreement, both countries committed to cooperation in military industrial production, weapons maintenance, education and training, and peacekeeping operations. The MoU is also expected to enable the joint utilization of military capabilities, strengthening operational effectiveness. Minister Aisha highlighted the long-standing diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Congo, dating back to the early 1960s, noting that bilateral ties have been reinforced through multilateral engagement within the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the African Union (AU), headquartered in Addis Ababa. Lt. Gen. Monjo described the agreement as a key milestone for advancing peace and security between the two nations, stating that practical implementation of the MoU would begin in the near future. He also extended an invitation to Minister Aisha Mohammed to visit Congo-Brazzaville. Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to deepening diplomatic and defense partnerships with African countries in support of regional stability.

Addis Ababa, December 13 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopia participated in the 4th Meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas for 2025, held in Brasília, Brazil, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among BRICS members and partner countries. The meeting reviewed BRICS activities undertaken in 2025, drawing on the handover report presented by the Brazilian presidency. Delegations engaged in an interactive dialogue focused on six priority areas: Global South cooperation, global health, climate change, trade, investment and finance, and governance of artificial intelligence. BRICS partner countries also took part in the discussions, underscoring the growing relevance of the BRICS platform in advancing inclusive global cooperation. The Ethiopian delegation commended Brazil’s leadership throughout its presidency and welcomed the outcomes achieved during the year, noting their contribution to shaping a collective vision for a more equitable and inclusive multilateral system. Ethiopia further highlighted areas requiring enhanced cooperation and concrete action to advance the shared interests of BRICS countries. The meeting also featured presentations under the BRICS People-to-People Track, which showcased key activities and achievements from year-long engagements through the Councils of civil society, business, and academic stakeholders, reflecting the bloc’s commitment to broader societal participation. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was announced that India will assume the BRICS Chairship in 2026, marking the next phase of leadership for the grouping.

Addis Ababa, December 12, 2025 (ENA) —Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) has been laying foundation for establishing a culture of dialogue in the country, National Dialogue Commissioner Yonas Adaye told ENA. In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Commissioner detailed both tangible and intangible achievements of the commission. Tangibly, the commission has gathered agendas from all regional states and two city administrations, while also reaching out to the Ethiopian diaspora, he said. “If I am to describe the tangible ones, we have completed a collection of agendas from 11 regional states of Ethiopia and two city administrations. At the same time, we went abroad to talk to the Ethiopian Diaspora and collected agendas from them.” Moreover, the commission has elected representatives of the diaspora that are going to take part in the Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference, scheduled to be conducted this Ethiopian year, In terms of intangible achievements, the Commissioner pointed out the increase in public trust and feelings of peace among the populace.     He further pointed out that the evolving perceptions of peace were analyzed in relation to the Global Peace Index, showcasing positive shifts over time. The commissioner also highlighted significant outreach efforts with political parties. The commission, initially collaborating with only two parties, has expanded its partnerships to over 55 political entities, reflecting a growing engagement with the international community that has shown interest in the progress being made. Addressing inclusivity, Yonas said the commission had engaged over 120,000 participants from various communities, including dissenting voices that challenge the current government's ideology. Most importantly, ideas which contradict the current government's ideology or outlook of the way of governing have been included; and these are ascertained by the very people who are taking part in it. International participants and observers have praised this inclusivity, which also extends to Ethiopians residing abroad, he stressed.     Despite the advancements, Yonas acknowledged several challenges. He identified difficulties related to entrenched political beliefs that hinder constructive dialogue, the negative influence of social media, and on-the-ground conflicts that have occasionally disrupted outreach efforts. Yet, he emphasized that the commission has overcome the obstacles through collaboration with the media, religious leaders, civil society, and political parties. Recall that the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission operates under three primary pillars: fostering national consensus, building trust between the state and society, and cultivating a peaceful dialogue culture. Yonas finally said that he envisions the shift away from violent conflicts toward discussions held in peaceful settings, aiming to promote unity and collaboration among Ethiopians. Moreover, the Commissioner underscored that the ongoing efforts of Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission have laid a foundation and showed a positive trajectory towards establishing a culture of peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, December 12, 2025 (ENA) — The House of People's Representatives (HPR) emphasized that the National Dialogue is a rare and historic opportunity—one that can only succeed through the united commitment of all citizens, without exception. During a discussion held at the House, officials announced that the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) is in the final stages of preparing to open the National Plenary. The session focused on completing the remaining tasks as swiftly as possible, including activities related to the Tigray Regional State. According to the Commission, it has already conducted a series of pre-agenda consultations with the interim administration and regional stakeholders in Tigray. These forums generated valuable input for the next phase of the process. The Commission added that the remaining activities in the region—such as agenda collection and participant selection—will be carried out using an approach tailored to Tigray’s current realities to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive outcome. The NDC has agreed to finalize these tasks using a methodology that reflects the region’s specific context. A message was issued to the people of Tigray, including political parties, scholars, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, urging them to provide full and constructive cooperation as the Dialogue advances. The House described the National Dialogue Plenary as a historic undertaking that transcends the interests of any single party or administration and will have significance for generations to come. It called on all Ethiopians to stand behind the process and contribute to its success. Addressing groups with political grievances and armed factions, the House reiterated that the path to peace remains open, encouraging them to present their concerns peacefully and submit their questions to the Commission as agenda items. Concluding the discussion, the House urged all citizens to play a positive role in transforming the nation’s entrenched confrontational political culture and ensuring the successful launch of the National Dialogue Plenary. The meeting was attended by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the HPR, the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of the NDC, leaders of the Standing Committee on Democratic Affairs, and other stakeholders. The session closed with a call for broad engagement to support the smooth and successful rollout of the National Dialogue.

Addis Ababa, December 12, 2025 (ENA) —Ethiopia's influence within the major international forums it participates has been growing, according to Fethi Mahdi, Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee Deputy Chairman at the House of People’s Representatives. The Deputy Chairman recalled that the country's influence was clearly visible at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered a forward-looking message on Africa’s future and Ethiopia’s role in shaping it. He explained that the Prime Minister’s emphasis on the Ethiopian philosophy of “Medemer” was central to the address and helped frame Ethiopia as a constructive voice in continental affairs. In an interview with ENA, Fethi stated that the Prime Minister’s speeches and bilateral engagements throughout the summit lifted Ethiopia’s diplomatic profile to a new level. He pointed at a series of side discussions with world leaders that focused on pressing African priorities while firmly upholding Ethiopia’s national interests. The core message presented by the Prime Minister was a success and showed that Ethiopia is now contributing to the agenda for Africa, Fethi said. Diplomacy and International Relations instructor, Endale Niguse, noted that Ethiopia’s approach, grounded in its indigenous ideas, is emerging as a model for other African nations. He said the country’s performance at the G20 Summit reflected the broader progress made in social, economic, and political spheres in recent years. According to Endale, the value of Medemer not only benefits Ethiopia but also the wider continent, calling it a starting point for Africa to rise above the thoughts of colonialism.