Category: Politics

President Hage Geingob said Namibia will send a powerful delegation to the Group of 77 (G-77) plus China summit, scheduled for 15 to 16 September 2023 in Havana, Cuba.

Geingob assured Namibia’s attendance during the official state visit by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel here on Sunday.

The G-77 plus China was founded in 1964 as the largest inter-governmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations (UN) with a coalition of 134 states now that promotes collective economic interests of its member states and the creation of enhanced joint negotiation power at the UN.

The members together represent 80 per cent of the world’s population and more than two-thirds of the membership of the UN.

“The Government of Namibia, and indeed the people of Namibia welcome strategic cooperation with our brother nation Cuba, in pursuit of a more robust South-South alliance where developing countries forge their futures, built on inclusive and sustainable development,” said Geingob.

He noted that bilateral cooperation between the two countries is strong in the areas of healthcare; higher education; defence and security; fisheries; construction and sports.

On his part, Diaz-Canel emphasised the historic importance of the relationship between Namibia and Cuba which dates back to the liberation struggle of Namibia.

He said the summit themed ‘Current Development Challenges. Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation calls for addressing common issues faced by countries in the South by relying on science, technology and innovation.

“We want Africa to be properly represented and in particular we want to see Namibia to be properly represented given Namibia’s leadership in the region,” he noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Japan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Ito Takako underscored that there are many potential areas conducive to further strengthening the great Ethio-Japan relations and cooperation.

The ambassador told ENA that the Government of Japan is strengthening its bilateral relations with Ethiopia and assisting economic development in the country.

According to her, Japan is implementing projects, including the Grassroots Human Security Project, the Grant Assistance Project, and the TICAD Human Development Center.

Among the projects include the water supply system built in Bahir Dar, capital of Amhara region, as part of the Grant Assistance Project.

Japan has also been contributing to the development of human resources in Ethiopia and a Kaizen center for Ethiopians and Africans would be inaugurated in October.

The Grassroots Human Security Project has been contributing to the efforts of addressing challenges of the people in various spheres, including education, health, and welfare, at the grassroots level.

Regarding the Japanese investment in Ethiopia, Ambassador Takako stated that Japan has big investments in Ethiopia and Japanese investors are interested in investing in the country.

As part of Japanese big investments in Ethiopia, she pointed out Japan’s conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation, which has a 27 percent stake in Safaricom Ethiopia.

The ambassador sees much potential for further strengthening the Ethio-Japan relations and cooperation.

There are many potentials for future cooperation and we have built good relations through institutions like JICA that has been operational for the last 50 years in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Takako reiterated that Japan will further strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia in various areas, including agriculture, and human security issues, among other things.

“Agriculture is one area. Human security — that means each individual to be empowered in such areas as education or the health or even the security of the people, is also important and we will continue to work on these.”

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Japan date back to 1930s.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Ethiopian Ambassador’s residence in South Africa whose construction has been completed in a short period of time.

Prime Minister Abiy said that the experience of building and completing high quality Ethiopian projects at speed should be a value that should be reflected in all Government and individual projects outside of the country.

Following the direction given by Prime Minister Abiy to the Ethiopian Embassy in South Africa during his 2020 visit, the construction of the Ambassador’s residence has accordingly been completed in a short period of time and visited yesterday by the Prime Minister.

He also indicated that the experience of building and completing high quality Ethiopian projects at speed should be a value that should be reflected in all Government and individual Ethiopian projects outside of Ethiopia.

Alongside the visit, the Premier and his delegation planted Green Legacy seedlings in the yard, according to Office of the Prime Minister.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The recent official working visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Ethiopia will elevate diplomatic and economic integration between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his biweekly press briefing today, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Meles Alem said that the recent visit of UAE President was successful.

During the visit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and United Arab Emirates President have expressed commitment to build stronger bridges that benefit both people.

In a bilateral meeting the leaders held with their respective delegations, they have acknowledged the ever strengthening ties between Ethiopia and the UAE.

Following the bilateral meeting, the leaders presided over a signing ceremony of 17 agreements in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, investment and finance, it was learned.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also talked about Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs plan for the current budget year and other activities carried out on the diplomatic and international relation issues.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia’s endorsement to join the BRICS bloc will contribute a lot to realizing South-South cooperation, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopia’s bid to join the emerging-markets bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) was endorsed this morning during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In his statement following the endorsement, Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia’s endorsement to join the BRICS bloc will contribute a lot in realizing the South-South cooperation.

According to him, Ethiopia was chosen by the bloc because of its large population and history as well as the high growth rate it is experiencing.

The prime minister further mentioned those positive factors that have helped Ethiopia to join BRICS included the Green Legacy Initiative, its green energy development, and the ongoing agricultural activities to become food self-sufficiency as well as the overall GDP growth.

Abiy, who describes BRICS as one of the world’s emerging largest blocs in terms of population, economy and influence, stated that the group has steadily been growing.

More than forty countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS. Of these, 6 countries have met the criteria and became members.

Noting that those other countries which have joined the bloc have by far large GDP, Abiy pointed out that Ethiopia was selected due to its development prospects and as a future African powerhouse.

The PM noted that there is a great hope that Ethiopia’s membership will consolidate South-South cooperation.

“BRICS has been an important bloc where many are looking to join. Our current membership is a victory achieved through many struggles. We are very grateful to China, India, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa. They have helped us a lot.”

The premier revealed that in his conversation with leaders of these countries, they have acknowledged that Ethiopia’s membership of the BRICS family is crucial for Africa’s diplomatic influence at the international stage and to empower the South-South cooperation.

In general, the prime minister underlined that Ethiopia’s BRICS membership could be taken as one of the biggest diplomatic victories of the country recorded in the last few decades.

Abiy, who also spoke about the bilateral talks he held with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS, disclosed that China has given a one-year debt relief until the entire debt restructure process will be made.

This is a huge achievement to Ethiopia, he noted.

He also recalled the bilateral discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that “in our meeting with the Prime Minister of India, we agreed to work together in science and technology, military, trade and investment.”

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussion on the sidelines of the BRICS-Africa Outreach & BRICS Plus meeting today, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

During the occasion, the leaders have expressed a mutual expression of commitment to deepening relations, especially with Ethiopia’s entry into the BRICS group.

They also agreed to strengthen political cooperation as well as economic cooperation in areas of agriculture, technology, trade and investment, it was learned.

Recall that Ethiopia’s bid to join the BRICS family was endorsed this morning during the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ethiopia is working towards more diversified and inclusive diplomatic engagements in bilateral, regional, continental, and multilateral venues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Meles Alem said in his biweekly press briefing today that works will be carried out to take the country’s diplomatic relations to a higher level and strengthen partnership in the current Ethiopia budget year.

He pointed out that activities are underway towards a more diversified and inclusive diplomatic engagements in bilateral, regional, continental and multilateral venues.

Diversification and inclusivity of holistic and cross-cutting engagements in the areas of aviation, sports, cultural and people-to-people diplomacy will be the focus during the current fiscal year, the spokesperson disclosed.

He stated that efforts have been made to rejuvenate diplomatic relations with countries that were strained following the war in the north. As part of this, efforts will be made to increase the number of friendly countries.

Ethiopia is working on normalizing relations with the United States and the European Union along with boosting relations Asian, Pacific and South American countries, Meles stated.

In the Middle East, the Spokesperson disclosed, the Government is working closely with countries of the Gulf to further boost the multifaceted relations, especially in the areas of trade, investment and job opportunities for our nationals in those nations.

The overall diplomatic engagements of the country in multilateral fora including the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will be guided by its commitment to multilateralism and enhancing its participation.

Ethiopia’s main foreign policy imperative in the neighboring countries is ensuring peace and stability as well as economic integration bolstered by people-to-people and infrastructural linkages, according to the Meles.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency