NEWS IN A Week in the Horn 01.08.2025
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa hosted the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) from July 27 to 29. Co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, the summit convened heads of state, ministers, United Nations officials, representatives of civil society, and youth advocates from across the globe. Distinguished attendees included Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kenyan President William Ruto, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, United Nations Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a nationwide campaign in Jimma on Thursday (July 31) under the theme “Renewal Through Planting,” aiming to plant 700 million seedlings, a target that has already been surpassed.
Prime Minister Abiy and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited development sites in Jimma on Monday (July 28), including the renovated Abba Jifar Palace, the restored Boye Lake, and surrounding infrastructure. Earlier, during their meeting in Addis Ababa, the two leaders discussed bilateral and multilateral issues and signed a Joint Declaration on the Ethiopian–Italian Cooperation Framework.
Prime Minister Abiy held talks with the President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, on Monday (July 28). The discussion focused on bilateral and regional issues, with Prime Minister Abiy highlighting the strong ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Abiy received UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed at his office on Sunday (July 27) in Addis Ababa. The Prime Minister highlighted Ethiopia’s pride in co-hosting the Second UN Food Systems Summit and emphasized the country’s commitment to transforming food systems through sustainable, inclusive, and climate-smart approaches.
He also conferred with IFAD President Alvaro Lario in Ethiopia on Sunday (July 27). The Prime Minister commended IFAD’s role in empowering rural communities and advancing inclusive, sustainable agricultural development, emphasizing Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening the partnership to build resilient livelihoods.
The premier also met with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu on Sunday (July 27). PM Abiy noted FAO’s continued role as a key partner in supporting Ethiopia’s efforts toward sustainable agricultural development and food security.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh met with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca on Monday (July 28) on the sidelines of the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa.
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos held talks with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf during a working visit to Algeria on Thursday (July 31). The two Ministers reviewed the implementation of key decisions from the 5th Joint Ministerial Commission held in Addis Ababa and emphasized the importance of continued coordination on shared priorities at both continental and multilateral levels.
Ethiopia signed a USD 69.2 million grant agreement with IFAD on Tuesday (July 29) to implement Phase II of the Lowland Livelihoods Resilience Project. The project aims to strengthen climate resilience and livelihoods for 3 million people across eight regions, and is cofinanced by the World Bank. The Grant Agreement was signed between Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, and Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD.
Ethiopia and Italy signed a partnership agreement on Tuesday (July 29) to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture sector, with a focus on modernizing the coffee value chain. The agreement was signed by Agriculture Ministers Girma Amente and Francesco Lollobrigida on the sidelines of the UNFSS+4 Summit in Addis Ababa.
Minister Girma held talks with UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna Aldahak on Monday (July 28) on the margins of the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa. The two discussed strengthening agricultural cooperation, with the UAE expressing interest in expanding investment, packaging, and value addition.
State Ministers Ambassador Hadera Abera and Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, along with the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and affiliated institutions, participated in this year’s one-day Green Legacy planting initiative on Thursday (July 31).
State Minister Ambassador Hadera met with Czech Ambassador Miroslav Kosek on Wednesday (July 30) at his office to discuss deepening bilateral relations.
Ambassador Hadera conferred with a high-level Italian parliamentary delegation led by Vice President of the Italian Parliament Lia Quartapelle on Thursday (July 31). The two sides discussed the longstanding diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Ethiopia and Italy.
Ambassador Hadera met on Tuesday (July 29) with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia. They held discussions on regional peace and security, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including water development, sugar technology, education, and health sector. Earlier on Monday (July 28), they laid a wreath of flowers at the Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park.
On the same day, Ambassador Hadera met with Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli. The two sides held discussions on strategic investments and explored opportunities for mutual growth, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Ethiopia–Italy relations.
Finance State Minister Semereta Sewasew held talks with Philipp Knill, Director for Africa at Germany’s BMZ, on Wednesday (July 30). Both sides emphasized strengthening ties in key sectors including energy, agriculture, and governance.
The Government of Nigeria donated 100,000 seeds and 2,000 cashew plants to support Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative on Sunday (July 27), marking a gesture of growing bilateral ties. The handover was attended by State Minister of Agriculture Efa Muleta, Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, Nigerian Chief Plant Scientist Ibraheem Dooba, and Ambassador Nasir Aminu.
Ethiopia participated in the Third Conference on Peace and Development for the Horn of Africa, which concluded in Kampala on Tuesday (July 29). The joint statement praised Ethiopia’s progress in food security and climate action and emphasized regional peace and cooperation.
A cultural delegation led by Minister of Culture and Sports, Shewit Shanka, held a series of performances in Beijing and Dingzhou, Hebei Province, from July 21 to 27. The events highlighted Ethiopia’s traditional music, dance, art, fashion, and coffee ceremony as part of the Kin Ethiopia: Ethiopia Rising Culture and Art Program. (See article)
Kenya
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held bilateral talks with Kenyan President William Ruto on Sunday (July 27) in Addis Ababa. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest.
Somalia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conferred with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday (July 27) in Addis Ababa. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest.
Africa and the African Union
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, received President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday (July 28). The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest.
On the same day, the Chairperson also met with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. Their exchange reaffirmed commitment to the AU-UN Framework Agreement on enhanced partnership in peace & security, focusing on preventive diplomacy, mediation, peace operations, and sustainable development.
At the UNFSS+4 in Addis Ababa, Chairperson Youssouf emphasized that transforming food systems is both a moral and strategic imperative critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending hunger, reducing poverty, and building climate-resilient economies.
Note: For detailed reports, please check out the rest of this week’s news published in separate posts