Mayor Adanech Urges Service Providers to Showcase Ethiopian Hospitality to Africa Climate Summit Guests

Addis Ababa, August 18, 2025 (ENA)—Mayor of Addis Ababa has called on service providers in the capital to showcase Ethiopia’s renowned culture of hospitality while improving service efficiency during the upcoming Second Africa Climate Summit, scheduled to take place in the capital from September 8–10, 2025.

Mayor of Addis Ababa City Administration, Adanech Abiebie, Planning and Development Minister, Fitsum Asefa and Tourism Minister, Selamawit Kassa held discussions today with owners and representatives of hotel industry institutions about the upcoming UN Climate Week, Second African Climate Summit and the Second Caribbean and African Leaders' Conference "CARICOM" to be hosted in Addis Ababa in September.

Speaking at the occasion, Mayor Adanech Abiebie noted that hosting international and regional conferences in Addis Ababa has been increasing in recent years.

In the concluding 2017 Ethiopian Calendar alone, Addis Ababa hosted over150 conferences and some 230,000 guests convened in these conferences, the mayor said.

Conference tourism has been growing in the city, the mayor said, adding the flow of tourists has raised from 78,000 in 2014 to 1.3 million in 2017 E.C, with 143 billion Birr dispersed to the economy.

The mayor pointed out that the hospitality industry in the country is growing; however, she noted that the services need to be further enhanced in a way that meets international standards and the existing growing demands.

They need to capitalize the culture of Ethiopian hospitality while improving the efficiency of their services and promoting the good image of the country, she noted.

The upcoming climate summit will provide an opportunity for the world to see the development activities that have been carried out to improve the overall infrastructures of the city, Adanech said, emphasizing that conferences can play a significant role in promoting the new face of the city and the newly developed tourist destinations.

She underlined that everyone has a responsibility for the success of the upcoming climate summit.

Service providers in the city are required to act as ambassadors to their beloved country with the spirit of Ethiopian hospitality, she added.

It is essential to build the good image of the country by promoting Ethiopian hospitality and enhancing the efficiency of services delivered, she stated.

On her part, Planning and Development Minister, Fitsum Assefa noted that Ethiopia's actions to prevent climate change are exemplary to others.

She cited as examples the green legacy initiative, riverside development project, renovation and development through corridor development and widespread renewable energy undertakings in the country, Fitsum recalled.

In this regard, Ethiopia is the right choice to host the Africa Climate Summit and UN Climate Week from September 5 to 10, 2025, she noted.

Accordingly, she pointed out that the service sector has to ensure quality services and make all the necessary preparations.

Tourism Minister, Selamawit Kassa on her part said that all stakeholders involved in the hospitality industry should be prepared to effectively and efficiently provide services to the participants.

She added that the city administration has built up-to-date infrastructure facilities that are convenient for conference tourism and others.

The summit would offer immense contributions for the development of tourism and hospitality industries in the country, the minister added.

Over 20,000 participants including leaders of various countries and international organizations, experts, media, among others, are expected to participate in the summit.

 

Ethiopian News Agency
2023