NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 24.10.2025
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accompanied by First Lady Zinash Tayachew and a high-level delegation of current and former leaders, visited Ethiopia’s Bale Zone in Oromia Region to review tourism, infrastructure, and agricultural development projects. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy announced on Wednesday (October 22) the launch of the Council of Ministers’ macroeconomic evaluation of the first 100-day plan of the Ethiopian Fiscal Year 2018 during a visit to the Koysha Hydroelectric Power Project. On Thursday (October 23), the council held its 100-day review, featuring a presentation on global economic trends, Ethiopia’s macroeconomic performance over the past quarter, and the overall growth outlook.
An Ethiopian delegation led by House of Federation Speaker Agegnehu Tesseger participated on Wednesday (October 22) in the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland, held under the theme “Upholding Humanitarian Norms.”
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has awarded Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) as a successful national model in sustainable forest management. The award ceremony took place in Rome, Italy, on Thursday (October 16). (See article)
During his official visit to Russia, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos met on Tuesday (October 21) in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The two ministers held extensive discussions on deepening the longstanding partnership between Ethiopia and Russia and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The previous day, FM Gedion held talks with Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and Co-chair of the Ethiopian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.
Various high-level officials, including Foreign Minister Gedion, State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera, and other dignitaries and experts, arrived in Bahir Dar on Thursday (October 23) to attend the 11th Tana Forum, scheduled for October 24–26.
Foreign Minister Gedion met on Friday (October 17) with UN Security Council members in Addis Ababa during the Annual Informal Joint Seminar with the African Union Peace and Security Council. The meeting focused on regional and global peace and security, with Gedion highlighting Ethiopia’s longstanding contributions.
Finance Minister Ahmed Shide participated on Monday (October 21) in the inaugural Health Works Leaders’ Coalition Roundtable on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings.
The Ethio–Kuwait Political Consultation Meeting was held in Kuwait City on Thursday (October 16), co-chaired by Ambassador Hadera, and Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait. (See article)
Ambassador Hadera met with his Romanian counterpart, Clara Staicu, on Thursday (October 23) to discuss expanding cooperation in political, economic, and technological fields. The two state ministers agreed to strengthen collaboration in capacity building, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and education, and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade, investment, and peace efforts in the Horn of Africa through regular political consultations.
Ambassador Hadera also met on Wednesday (October 22) with Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ethiopia Ruslan Nasibov, expressing Ethiopia’s interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism, renewable energy, and agriculture. Ambassador Nasibov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening multifaceted relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Ambassador Hadera received on Tuesday (October 21) a delegation led by Wang Xiao, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province, China. On the same day, Ethiopia–China (Shaanxi) Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference was held in Addis Ababa, which brought together company heads and business representatives from both countries.
Later that day, Ambassador Hadera received Kuwaiti Ambassador to Ethiopia Nayef Hapes Al Otaibi at his office. They exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in bilateral and regional matters and discussed ways to strengthen partnership in trade and investment, overseas employment, and other priority sectors.
The Pre-COP 30 meetings took place in Brasília, Brazil, from October 13–14, serving as the final preparatory gathering ahead of COP30, which will be hosted in Belém from November 6–21, 2025. Delegates from 72 signatory countries, international organizations, and community representatives deliberated on the global climate agenda. (See article)
After serving as the Second Vice-Chair of the UNHCR Executive Committee since October 2024, Ethiopia has been elected as the First Vice-Chair of the Committee during the closing session of its 76th meeting on Friday (October 10). (See article)
National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Eyob Tekalegn met on Wednesday (October 22) with U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs Neil Beck to discuss Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
Djibouti
A delegation led by Alemu Sime, Minister of Transport and Logistics of Ethiopia, participated in the Ministerial and Technical Committee Meeting of the DESSU Corridor, reaching consensus on the establishment and operationalization of the Corridor’s Management Authority. The ministers signed the agreed minutes on Wednesday (October 22). Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, was part of the delegation. The DESSU Corridor is a regional trade and transport initiative linking Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Kenya
President Taye Atske-Selassie attended on Friday (October 17) the state funeral of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi.
An Ethiopian delegation led by Ambassador Bacha Debele participated on Wednesday (October 22) in the 3rd IGAD Ministerial Conference on Labor, Employment, and Labor Migration in Nairobi. Held under the theme “Improving Labor Migration and Mobility Governance for Prosperity,” the conference provided a platform for high-level dialogue.
On Tuesday (October 21), at State House Nairobi, President William Ruto met with President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Maria Benvinda Levy of Mozambique. Ruto discussed matters of mutual interest, including visa facilitation, trade, tourism, and regional cooperation.
Ambassador Hadera Abera visited the Kenyan Embassy on Monday (October 21) to sign the book of condolences in honor of the late Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga.
Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the state funeral service of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga on Friday (October 17) at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.
Sudan
The management of Khartoum International Airport announced on Wednesday (October 22) the official resumption of operations after a Badr Airlines civilian aircraft landed, marking the return of civil aviation activity to the Sudanese capital after a hiatus of more than two years due to the war.
Africa and the African Union
The Fifth Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference and Single Country Exhibition took place at Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa from October 16–18. Organized by the Federal Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistani Embassy in Addis Ababa and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event brought together key business and government stakeholders from both countries. (See article)
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received on Tuesday (October 21) Ambassador Solomon Rutega, Secretary General of the Inter-African Coffee Organisation. They exchanged views on the strategic role of Africa’s coffee sector in promoting agro-industrial transformation, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.
On Monday (October 20), AUC Chairperson Youssouf signed the book of condolences at the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa, conveying sympathies on behalf of the AU Commission and in his personal capacity to the government and people of Kenya following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.