Ethiopia Leverages Public Diplomacy to Advance National Interests, Regional Ties: Ambassador Shibru

Addis Ababa, May 30, 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopia is actively harnessing public diplomacy to promote its national interests and strengthen regional cooperation, according to Director General for Public Diplomacy at Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shibru Mamo.

In an exclusive interview with the ENA, Ambassador Shibru emphasized that Ethiopia's approach to public diplomacy centers on strengthening people-to-people connections that form the foundation of intergovernmental relations.

 He emphasized initiatives such as educational exchanges and the Green Legacy environmental campaign as key tools in deepening engagement between Ethiopia and neighboring countries.

 “Public diplomacy transcends traditional state-to-state relations,” he noted. “It’s about bringing societies together: students, scholars, artists, and communities to forge enduring social and economic bonds.”

 The Ambassador also underscored the country's efforts to enhance its international image through experience-sharing and knowledge-exchange programs, particularly in the higher education sector.

 These initiatives, he said, are critical in promoting the country’s global presence and supporting its rapid economic and technological transformation.

 According to him, the major infrastructure developments, including economic corridor projects in Addis Ababa are positioning the capital as a premier destination for tourism and international conferences.

 These projects, he said, are helping connect Ethiopia, and Africa more broadly, to the rest of the world by increasing human interaction and mobility, he added.

 Ambassador Shibru reaffirmed that Ethiopia’s foreign policy places strong emphasis on neighboring countries, noted that the involvement of parliamentarians, academics, civil society organizations, and the arts community has been instrumental in fostering strong regional relationships.

 Describing the GERD as “Ethiopia’s second Adwa,” and a powerful symbol of national pride, resilience, and self-reliance, the Ambassador credited effective public diplomacy with advancing key national interests, most notably to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The ambassador also praised the Ethiopian diaspora and people of Ethiopian descent for their steadfast support in the dam’s construction and for their advocacy in defending Ethiopia’s interests on the international stage.

 “Their diplomatic engagement has been vital in countering external pressures and safeguarding our national priorities,” he said.

 Looking ahead, Ambassador Shibru reaffirmed the country’s commitment to expanding its public diplomacy across various sectors, including infrastructure, education, sports, and cultural exchange, as a means of deepening both regional and global ties.

 He also recognized the vital role of Ethiopians abroad in promoting the country’s culture and values worldwide, underscoring their ongoing contribution to Ethiopia’s diplomatic success.