Ethiopia Committed to Advancing Regional Cooperation: Coordinator for Democracy System Building Center

Addis Ababa, November 12, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia is committed to advancing regional cooperation and contributing meaningfully to lGAD's governance agenda, Minister Coordinator for Democracy System Building Center at the Office of the Prime Minister, Bikila Hurisa said.

The Third IGAD Governance Forum convened in Addis Ababa today under the theme "The Role of National Democratic Institutions in Promoting Peace and Security".

Opening the forum, Minister Coordinator for Democracy System Building Center at the Office of the Prime Minister, Bikila Hurisa said Ethiopia's is assertive--its historic reform journey over the past seven years stands as a practical demonstration in delivering in good governance.

Bikila added: "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, our country has undertaken far-reaching reforms designed to revitalize institutions, expand democratic participation, achieve economic growth, and rebuild public trust."

He also cited the government's commitment in opening political space, modernizing the civil service, reforming the justice and security sectors and combating corruption, among others.

Within this broader context, Ethiopia has worked to transform previously fragmented political and administrative structures into coherent national systems capable of delivering good governance, he elaborated.

For Bikila, the homegrown "Medemer" reform agenda, is also enabling democratic renewal, taking root at multiple layers of governance.

The IGAD region is at a pivotal moment, he said, adding while the challenges we are facing are substantial, the opportunities for shared learning and collaborative action are equally significant.

The third edition of the IGAD Governance Forum has already shown its importance in bringing together public officials, scholars, and practitioners to generate common understanding and develop solutions grounded in African realities.

"By deepening cooperation among our democratic institutions, we strengthen not only our country but also our region's collective resilience,"Bikila said.

As Ethiopia hosted this Forum, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing regional cooperation

and contributing meaningfully to lGAD's governance agenda, he affirmed.

Addressing the forum, IGAD Peace and Security Division Director Commander Abebe Muluneh for his part stressed the need to strengthen democratic institutions to ensure peace and security in the region.

 

Similarly, Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, Director-General of Africa Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the critical role of ensuring good governance in realizing lasting peace and security in the IGAD region, noting Ethiopia's unwavering endeavors in ensuring peace and security in the region.

The objectives of the IGAD Governance Forum include sharing experiences and promoting best practices in democracy, governance, elections, and human rights.

It serves as a platform for discussing and improving governance principles, aligning with IGAD's broader goals of fostering peace, stability, and development in the region.

The forum also aims to improve conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding efforts, and to strengthen the ability of member states to address governance-related challenges, it was learned.