MoFA Says Preparations Well Underway to Host Upcoming 33rd AU Summit

Preparations for the upcoming 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) that will take place from February 6 to 10 in 2020 is well underway, according to the spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Speaking to ENA, Spokesperson Nebiyat Getachew said the national committee drawn from all stakeholders has been working aggressively for the successful conduct of the summit meeting that will be held in Addis Ababa.

The national committee is working on major activities, including transportation, security, and hotel as well as other accommodation services, he said.

The spokesperson added that the summit is the 57th Ethiopia will be hosting since the establishment of the previous Organization of African Unity (OAU), which is a real demonstration the country has the ability to host high-level meetings.

The 33rd ordinary session will be held under the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development,” it was learned.

Nebiyat stated that “this year’s theme, besides the issue of economic integration, will be deliberated upon in order to bring peace for the entire continent; and it is compatible with Agenda 2063 to realize a prosperous and peaceful Africa.”

According to him, this year’s Noble Peace Prize, which was awarded to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is being shared by the entire continent.

“The peace prize is symbolic, and it incidentally well-matched with the theme of this year’s 33rd Ordinary Session of African Union.”

President Sahle-Work Zewde received 2019 CNN Hero Freweini Mebrahatu at the National Palace.

The President appreciated Freweini’s commitment for being the Hero and also commended the huge contribution of Ethiopians who vote for her during the contest.

“We should not abandon the light we have got because of you. We have to multiply it so that we can have additional achievements.”
CNN’S Vice President told me though my effort had been key for the success, my compatriots’ vote also played a significant role during the process, Freweini said.

Meeting over GERD Commences in Khartoum

The Ministers of water affairs of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have met in Khartoum, Sudan on December 21st  to discuss the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The current meeting is the 8th trilateral technical meeting as per the direction of the heads of states of the three countries and the 3rd meeting where the World Bank and the US Government are attending as observers.

Electoral Board Commences Voting Materials Printing

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has begun printing voting materials abroad for the upcoming elections.

The election materials are being printed by the Dubai based printing firm called Al Faragi, according to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC). This is the first time when voting materials are printed abroad by the Electoral Board.

After officially launching the printing, Chairperson of the Board, Birtukan Mideksa, said the printing of the voting materials abroad is part of the efforts to make the election a success. The election materials are being printed in Amharic, Afan Oromo, Somali, Tigrigna and Afar languages.

The printing firm has 40 years of experiences and so far printed ballot papers for Kenya, Uganda, Mali and Tanzania from African countries

Replicas of PM Abiy’s Nobel Peace Prize Medals Put for Public View

Three Copies of medals and diploma received by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the Nobel Peace Prize award tabled for public viewing in three locations in the capital Addis Ababa.

Under the custodianship of the Ministry of Peace, the three replicas of diploma and medal placed at the Ministry of Peace, Addis Ababa University Institute of Ethiopian Studies and at the National Museum each.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the replica which is placed in the Ministry of Peace will move to the Peace center upon completion.

The placement of the Nobel Prize replicas for public viewing is aimed at encouraging the next generation and the general public to work towards maintaining peace and elevating Ethiopia to greater heights.

Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, mainly for resolving the two decades stalemate with Eritrea.

UK Envoy Visits Ethiopia Today

The UK Envoy for the UK-Africa Investment Summit, Philip Parham, will visit Ethiopia today (dec. 17th).

The visit aims to discuss investment opportunities and increasing trade between Ethiopia and the UK.

It is also intended to confer on how the two nations can work together to deliver jobs and sustainable economic growth.

The UK is working in partnership with Ethiopia to create the right conditions for greater investment.

The UK-Africa Investment Summit will take place in London on 20 Jan 2020.

The Summit will bring together political leaders, business representatives and investors from the UK and African countries.

It will showcase the breadth and quality of investment opportunities across Africa.

The Summit will strengthen the UK’s partnership with African nations to build a secure and prosperous future for all our citizens.

President Sahle-Work Named One Of 2019 World’s Most Powerful Women

President Sahle-Work Zewde has been selected as one of the World’s Most Powerful Women of 2019 by Forbes.

The President is the only African woman on the list.

President Sahle-Work Zewde is a role model not only for Ethiopian women but women all around the world.

A seasoned diplomat and veteran of the United Nations (UN), Sahle-Work became Ethiopia’s first female president in October 2018.

In her first address to the parliament, she promised to be a voice for women and stressed the importance of unity.

President Sahle-Work’s appointment is a tremendously symbolic move for the country, opening the door for gender parity.

President Calls For Unity At Welcoming Dinner Hosted In Honour Of Nobel Laureate PM

President Sahle-Work Zewde has called for unity during a welcoming dinner hosted in honour of Nobel Laureate Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.

Stating that Ethiopia is on a reform path, the President said: “we should join hands to overcome the challenges facing in the reform process.”

“It is necessary to resolve the difference in a civilized manner sitting at a negotiation table,” she said

The Prize won by the Prime Minister is an inspiration for countries in the region and all peace-loving people worldwide,” the President said.

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed also called for unity and joint efforts for the sustainability of the on-going reforms.

“We should stand together to add momentum on the reforms launched in Ethiopia and realize the country’s move towards prosperity,” he said.

“We should establish strong diplomatic ties and work in partnership with all African and Middle East countries to extricate the country out of poverty and bring prosperity,” he said.

The Prime Minister finally urged all Ethiopians to contribute their share for the economic growth of the country by working day and night with unity.

Senior government officials, the diplomatic community and other invited guests attended the welcoming dinner hosted by President Sahle-Work Zewde at the National Palace.

The Prime Minister was given a hero’s welcome yesterday upon his return from receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.

Thousands of Ethiopians turned out in the capital Addis Ababa to welcome him. A 21-gun salute is also fired in honor of the Prime Minister.

He was awarded the prize in recognition of his crucial role in creating peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The award is also in recognition of his efforts to build democracy in Ethiopia and contribution to peace and reconciliation processes in East and North East Africa.

 

UN Congratulates PM Abiy, Ready to Support Ethiopia’s Peace Initiative

The United Nations in Ethiopia congratulated Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, on receiving the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

According to a press release sent to ENA, the United Nations in Ethiopia affirms its strong commitment to supporting efforts toward sustainable peace and development in the country.

United Nation’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Steven Were Omamo, noted that “The United Nations family in Ethiopia shares the joy and pride of millions of Ethiopians on this special recognition of Ethiopia’s vital role in peace building and international cooperation.”

Reflecting on the Prime Minister’s appeal to Ethiopians in his acceptance speech to, “Join hands and help build a country that offers equal justice, equal rights, and equal opportunities for all its citizens,”

Omamo underlined that the UN will continue to work with the Government of Ethiopia and all its partners and supporters as the nation pulls together to build an inclusive and democratic Ethiopia.

TIMKET inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is meeting in Bogota, Colombia, just decided to inscribe Timket, Ethiopian Epiphany,
on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A special thank you and deep appreciation to Djibouti, member of the Committee, which showed great solidarity & fraternity by pleading our cause and lobbying other members. The other co-sponsors are Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, Mauritius, Zambia, Kuwait, Palestine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, China, Poland, Lebanon, Jamaica, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, and Cuba.

Timket is now the 4th intangible cultural heritage from our country inscribed as world intangible heritage after Meskel, the Geda system and Fichee-chambalaalla, New Year festival of the Sidama people.