Ethiopian President Calls for Security Council Reform at High-Level General Debate of 80th UN General Assembly

Addis Ababa, September 25, 2025 (ENA) -- President Taye Atske-Selassie addressed the High-Level General Debate of the 80th UN General Assembly, emphasizing the need for urgent reform of the United Nations and renewed global cooperation to tackle development, peace, and security challenges.

Reflecting on the UN’s achievements over eight decades, President Taye noted progress in decolonization, public health and pandemic control, conflict prevention, humanitarian response, and reducing extreme poverty.

The President, however, warned that inequities in representation of the global south in security, economic and financial architecture pose serious risk.

He called on Member States, particularly developed countries, to intensify efforts toward collective development and peace.

He underscored Ethiopia’s support for the reform of the United Nations in a manner that preserves the mandate of the UN General Assembly, deploys resource to the global south where the organization has most of its programmes. 

 

On matters of international security, the President reaffirmed Ethiopia’s support for diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s role in global governance, calling for Security Council reform and increased representation of African nations.

Highlighting Africa’s progress, President Taye praised the continent’s economic growth, climate action, and social development, while noting the continued challenges posed by debt and coercive trade measures.

He urged the international community to advance debt cancellation initiatives and lift restrictions that hinder Africa’s development.

 

On regional security, the President underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to combating terrorism in the Horn of Africa and called on the international community to strengthen support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). He emphasized that “now is not the time to retreat from global action in combating terrorism.”

President Taye also celebrated recent national milestones, including the entry into force of the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework and the commissioning of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

He said the dam, with over 5,000 megawatts of capacity, represents Ethiopia’s commitment to clean energy, providing light for 60 million people without electricity and transforming livelihoods, particularly for women and girls. The project, he added, symbolizes regional cooperation and shared prosperity among Nile riparian states.

 

Addressing maritime issues, President Taye underlined Ethiopia’s interests in Red Sea and Indian Ocean navigation.

He echoed calls for the seas to remain the common heritage of mankind, urging equal access and cooperation to ensure development and security for all states.

Ethiopia, he affirmed, will pursue peaceful and diplomatic avenues to secure its maritime interests. The President further reaffirmed Ethiopia’s dedication to multilateralism, collective security, and sustainable development under the UN Charter.