President Taye Outlines Key National Priorities for Ethiopian New Year

Addis Ababa, October 6, 2026 (ENA)—President Taye Atske Selassie has outlined Ethiopia’s major national priorities for the 2019 Ethiopian year, placing peace, structural transformation, quality public services, institutional coordination and stronger foreign relations among the key areas of focus.

Addressing the 7th joint session of the House of People’s Representatives and the House of Federation, the President said the priorities were identified based on an assessment of the country’s previous performance, achievements and gaps, with the aim of better safeguarding Ethiopia’s national interests and accelerating the country’s progress.

Peace will remain a foremost priority, with efforts focused on strengthening unity and cooperation and putting Ethiopia’s national interests first.

The President said Ethiopia will also pursue a comprehensive structural transformation based on quality, while accelerating citizen-centered development in education, health and social protection by shifting the focus from expanding access to improving quality.

 

According to him, strengthening the country’s capacity to produce key industrial and agricultural inputs as well as infrastructure, will also receive attention.

Project and project-finance implementation will be made more modern, faster, efficient and accountable, President Taye added.

He further said efforts will focus on modernizing the tax base, properly managing public debt and strengthening the government’s capacity to manage revenues and expenditures.

The President also emphasized the need to strengthen coordination between the federal government and regional states, ensuring that implementation is unified, supported, efficient and effective.

On foreign relations, President Taye said Ethiopia will seek to move from acceptance to greater influence, particularly by strengthening its friendships, engaging those with differing views and giving priority to regional peace and economic integration.

Building on these priorities, he said Ethiopia expects to make progress across social, economic and service sectors.

Electricity access is targeted to reach 65 percent, while efforts will be made to expand access to water services.

Health insurance coverage is also targeted to increase to 85 percent. Regarding forest coverage, it will be expanded from its current level of 26 percent.

 

The number of Mesob one-stop service centers will be expanded and school feeding coverage will increase to 70 percent.

The justice sector will be further modernized, while recommendations emerging from the national dialogue will be translated into practical action.

President Taye also stressed the importance of promoting a culture of dialogue, compromise and peaceful resolution of differences based on mutual understanding and common interests.

The implementation of these priorities will require stronger coordination, commitment and focus on results across government institutions.

The President finally called on officials responsible for implementing the 2019 plan to put the interests of the public first, make effective use of time and resources, and demonstrate commitment and diligence in carrying out their responsibilities.