President Sahle-Work opens the International Cooperation Forum in Switzerland
Addis Ababa, April 12, 2024 (FBC) – The President of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde, alongside the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd, opened the third International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum) on Thursday, 11 April, in Basel, Switzerland.
President Sahle-Work has travelled to Switzerland for a working visit and to attend the IC Forum in Basel. The IC Forum, which is organized by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is taking place this year under the motto ‘What is peace?’ and is dedicated to building peace.
On the sidelines of the forum, both presidents held a bilateral meeting where they discussed the extensive relations between Switzerland and Ethiopia as well as security issues in Europe and Africa.
During their meeting, the Ethiopian president and the president of the Swiss Confederation commended the development of bilateral relations between their countries. In particular, the Swiss President Viola Amherd emphasized the growing influence of the African countries in global politics and the opportunities for economic exchange.
She referred to Switzerland’s first Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy, which highlights Ethiopia’s key role in the development of East Africa and the region’s economic potential. Switzerland’s commitment to the region was also discussed.
The SDC is present in Ethiopia as part of the cooperation programme for the Horn of Africa. One of the aims of the programme is said to be to create more stable livelihoods for the population in the south-east regions of the country.
During the talks, President Amherd also emphasized Switzerland’s commitment to the multilateral system at global level within the framework of the UN.
According to an official press note from the Swiss government issued on Thursday, both presidents also discussed the current state of affairs in Ethiopia after implementation of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, ending the two-year conflict in the northern part of the country. Security issues in East Africa, in particular the conflict in Sudan, were also discussed.
The IC Forum in Basel lasts on Friday 12th of April 2024. Over 900 participants from politics, civil society and the public and private sectors are said to be exchanging views on current challenges and prospects in international cooperation, with 800 more taking part online.