NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 28.11.2025
The 20th edition of the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 22 and 23, with Heads of State and Government and international organizations in attendance. The Summit saw high-level deliberations on topics of job creation, economic growth, disaster risk management, trade, financing for development, and artificial intelligence, among others. At the invitation of the South African President and G20 President for 2025, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had a successful participation in the Summit, leading a high-level delegation. (See article)
Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, held an official visit to Ethiopia from November 23-24, the first Singaporean Prime Ministerial visit in 60 years. The historic visit was a pivotal moment in the evolving partnership between the two countries and reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ethiopia and the wider African continent. (See article)
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, paid a three-day official visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from November 18–20, marking an important milestone in the advancement of diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations. The visit followed last year’s official trip by Prime Minister Abiy to Malaysia, a historic engagement that laid a solid foundation for deeper cooperation and an expanding partnership. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy met with General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, on Tuesday (November 25) for a constructive exchange on regional security and opportunities for enhanced cooperation.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced on Wednesday (November 26) the appointment of Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos as President-Designate of COP32, following Ethiopia’s selection as host of the 32nd Conference of the Parties under the UNFCCC. As President-Designate, he will lead the preparatory process for COP32 in coordination with national authorities, UNFCCC bodies, and international partners.
The following day, the National Steering Committee presiding FM Gedion convened in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy to align on key preparatory tasks. The meeting reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and well-coordinated process as Ethiopia begins its responsibilities toward organizing COP32.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its deepest condolences on the tragic residential building fire in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in a press statement released on Thursday (November 27). The Ministry extended its profound sympathy to the families of the victims and to all those affected by this tragic incident. Ethiopia stands in solidarity with the people and Government of the People’s Republic of China during this difficult period of mourning.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera met on Thursday (November 27) with Christine Pirenne, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ethiopia, where they discussed key bilateral and regional issues.
Ambassador Hadera Abera met on Tuesday (November 25) with Sim Tong Guk, Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Ethiopia, to discuss bilateral relations and explore ways to enhance cooperation and engagement.
On the same day, Ambassador Hadera delivered opening remarks at the session on “Policy and Regulatory Alignment for SME Competitiveness: Ethiopia’s Path Towards AfCFTA Implementation,” co-organized by IFA Ethiopia and UNDP at the Skylight Hotel.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye met on Tuesday (November 25) with Marie-Hélène Calvin, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti, and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s unwavering support for the establishment of Haiti’s new embassy in Addis Ababa.
Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a press briefing on Thursday (November 27), highlighting Ethiopia’s recent diplomatic engagements, noting the country’s selection to host COP32 in 2027 as recognition of its climate leadership, reaffirming Ethiopia’s advances through the Green Legacy Initiative and renewable-energy expansion, recalling the appointment of Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos as COP32 President, emphasizing outcomes of the G20 Summit hosted in Ethiopia and recent high-level visits from Malaysia and Singapore, and encouraging media participation in the 3rd IGAD Media Awards taking place in Addis Ababa this weekend.
The inaugural Africa-Bangladesh Trade Forum was held on Thursday (November 13) in Addis Ababa under the theme “Africa’s Gateway to Trade and Development.” The event was organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with the Africa Bangladesh Business Forum and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. (See article)
During the General Debate of the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention held in the Hague, Ambassador Eshete Tilahun, Ethiopian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, delivered a statement on Tuesday (November 25), highlighting national implementation efforts within the country framework and reaffirming Ethiopia’s strong commitment to supporting the work of the organization.
Djibouti
President Ismail Omar Guelleh participated in the 7th AU–EU Summit held on November 24–25 in Luanda, Angola.
Kenya
President William Ruto attended the two-day 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, on Monday (November 24).
Africa and the African Union
The 7th African Union–European Union Summit took place in Luanda, Angola, on November 24–25 under the theme “Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Effective Multilateralism.” The Summit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the African Union and the European Union, as well as the 50th anniversary of Angola’s Independence Day. This Summit builds upon the deliberations of the 6th AU–EU Summit held in Brussels in 2022, as well as the outcomes of the Third AU–EU Ministerial Committee Meeting convened in Brussels in May 2025. A delegation led by President Taye Atske Selassie participated in the event. (See article)