President Taye Atske Selassie Receives Rotary International President  

President Taye Atske Selassie today received the President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, at the National Palace.

The visit underscored the deep-rooted partnership between Ethiopia and Rotary International’s global network.  

Discussions focused on key areas of cooperation, including health, education, and peacebuilding.  

Arezzo also praised President Taye’s strong support, describing him as highly committed and a key partner in advancing Rotary’s mission in the country.  

The President said discussions covered the long-standing work of Rotary in Ethiopia, particularly in polio eradication, peacebuilding, and other initiatives.  

He emphasized that ending polio remains Rotary International’s top priority.  

“Finishing polio eradication is our final goal,” Arezzo said.

“It is also a step toward peace, because every time we send a child to school, provide access to clean water, or protect the environment, these are all small but meaningful steps toward peace.”  

He noted that Ethiopia has been one of the strongest-performing countries in Africa in implementing polio campaigns with high effectiveness and accuracy.  

He emphasized that Ethiopia is polio-free and has successfully prevented outbreaks that affected parts of Africa in recent years.  

He also described the containment of the Marburg virus as a major achievement, congratulating the Ethiopian government for its efforts.  

President Arezzo reaffirmed Rotary International’s commitment to strengthening  peacebuilding efforts through its clubs in Ethiopia.  

Both sides noted the shared vision between Ethiopia and Rotary International in promoting health, development, and peace, highlighting polio eradication as a common and unifying goal.  

Rotary International is a global service organization with more than 46,000 clubs worldwide, working to provide humanitarian services, promote peace, and improve lives. In Ethiopia, local Rotary clubs operate in cities including Addis Ababa, Mekelle, Gondar, Jimma, and Awassa, implementing community-focused projects and partnering on initiatives related to health, clean water, and peacebuilding.