Concerted efforts vital to strengthen Ethiopia’s position as diplomatic hub of Africa: MoFA
Addis Ababa, February 1, 2024 (FBC) – Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Meles Alem, stated that every citizen should play its part to consolidate Ethiopia’s role as the diplomatic hub of Africa.
The Spokesperson, briefing local and international media, noted that the Diplomacy Week Exhibition, which has been taking place for the past two weeks, has played an important role in reminding citizens and the diplomatic community, the history and legacy of Ethiopia’s diplomacy.
Meles said that the Diplomacy Week Exhibition, which was scheduled to be held from January 11 to February 2, 2024, is expected to be rescheduled until the 37th African Union Summit.
The Spokesperson mentioned that diplomatic community in Addis Ababa expressed their desire to extend the exhibition.
He said that the extension of the exhibition will give ample opportunity to our African brothers and sisters who will be participating at the upcoming 37th Summit of African Heads of States and Governments to visit the Exhibition, given that Ethiopia is the trailblazer of the Pan-African movement.
This decision aligns with the actual initiatives being taken to strengthen Addis Ababa’s position as the diplomatic capital of Africa. During the Diplomacy Week Exhibition, Africans will have the opportunity to see in their own eyes, that Ethiopia is the pillar of Pan-African movement, not only in words, but also in the practical work it has done.
Further, Ambassador Meles said that the exhibition has created an opportunity to turn the idiom “every citizen is a diplomat of his country” into reality.
The spokesperson stated that the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union will be held from February 14 to 15, and the 37th Summit will be held from February 17 to 18, 2024 in Addis Ababa.
As the seat of the African Union and the host country of the conference, Ethiopia has made the necessary preparations for the successful conclusion of the conference in all aspects, he added. Ambassador Meles also said that a Preparation Committee at the national level has made the necessary preparations for the Assembly in collaboration with the AU.
He stated that Ethiopia’s preparation is not only to host the conference successfully, but also to highlight its own national interests in the conference.
The spokesperson also said that the Assembly creates an opportunity to promote the works that are done in terms of agriculture, green legacy and tourism sector.
He said that Ethiopia prepared agendas that will help protect its national interests through a number of sideline bilateral meetings to be held alongside the summit.
Meles also stated that the Ethio-Russian political consultation and business forum will be held in Moscow from tomorrow onwards.
The spokesperson also briefed journalists regarding the diplomatic activities carried out in Ethiopia during the week and answered questions raised by the journalists, per MFA Ethiopia.