Ethiopia’s President Calls for Multilateralism and African Voice at UN General Assembly
NEW YORK – President Taye Atske-Selassie of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia addressed the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism, collective security, sovereign equality, and international cooperation.
In his address, President Taye called on the international community to reinforce the ideals that help prevent global conflict. He highlighted artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and deepening global inequalities as the defining imperatives of the present era. The President also stressed the need to respect the Horn of Africa’s right to peace despite external pressures.
Call for UN Reform and African Representation
President Taye reiterated Ethiopia’s call for a fundamental reform of the United Nations system, including comprehensive reform of the Security Council. He emphasized the need for greater equality, justice, and equitable African representation in global decision-making.
Climate Action and Technological Leadership
On climate change, the President announced that Ethiopia will host COP32 in November 2027, extending an invitation to the international community to participate in the global climate summit. He underscored the importance of ensuring that the Global South has a meaningful role in shaping the technological future, highlighting Ethiopia’s ‘5 Million Coders’ program and the forthcoming University of Artificial Intelligence.
Regional Diplomacy and Sea Access
On regional affairs, President Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to advance regional integration through infrastructure, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people relations. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s support for a Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned peace process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people. Concluding his address, he underscored Ethiopia’s aspiration for reliable and dependable access to the sea, stating that Ethiopia is pursuing diplomatic avenues to secure access to and from the sea and strengthen its integration into the global trading system.
National Progress and Sustainable Development
The address further highlighted Ethiopia’s national priorities and recent developments. Among the initiatives highlighted were the National Dialogue Commission’s first historic summit, Ethiopia’s progress in wheat production, and the 56 billion trees planted since the launch of the Green Legacy Initiative in 2019.
President Taye also outlined Ethiopia’s ambition to expand renewable energy generation to 13,000 MW by 2030, describing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a Pan-African clean-energy project. He referenced the construction of an international airport projected to handle 110 million passengers and approximately four million tonnes of cargo annually, with potential significance for continental trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The address reaffirmed Ethiopia’s emphasis on multilateral cooperation, regional integration, renewable energy, connectivity, food security, manufacturing, and sustainable urban development, while calling for renewed international solidarity around human dignity, justice, and the interests of current and future generations.
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