Center hosts a forum marking 125th anniversary of Ethiopia, Russia diplomatic ties

Addis Ababa, November 23, 2023 (FBC) – Foundation for Support of Creative Initiatives (Mir) with the assistance of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation organized scientific and educational event at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa as part of “Russia-Ethiopia: Civilizational Dialogue on the Basis of Traditional Spiritual and Moral Values”.

The event includes a forum held to mark the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Ethiopia with the participation of representatives of public, diplomatic and educational organizations of the two countries.

The forum discussed a range of issues including the ways how to strengthen cultural, educational, scientific and people to people relations between Russia and Ethiopia. Mechanisms how to bolstering experience sharing platforms between educational and research institutions of the two countries and strengthening public private partnership in Ethiopia and the continent Africa in general were discussed by participants.

Representatives of Russian higher education institutions tabled presentations focusing on language, culture, history and achievements of Russia with a view to share experiences with Ethiopia in this regard.

Promoting doing business and establishing long-term partnerships between Russian and Ethiopian enterprises was also at the top of the agenda during the forum.

Presentations regarding the contribution of Russia and its prominent figures to the development of education, science, economy and health care in Ethiopia were also tabled on the event.

Lectures under the titles of “Russia and Ethiopia in the struggle against colonialism and neo-colonialism: the experience of history and the agenda of the future” and “Russian foreign policy in the modern world: the concept of multipolarity” were also part the forum.

The significance of accession of Ethiopia to the BRICS economic bloc and the prospects of the growing trade, economic and investment ties between Russia and Ethiopia were also among the topics covered during the event.

Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Addis Ababa, Mikhail Korneev, stated on the occasion that his country is committed to implement agreements it signed with Ethiopia in several areas of cooperation including in the cultural, educational, science, technology, trade and investment.

The Ambassador cited the opening of the Russian Trade Mission in Addis Ababa as a testimony to propel economic and investment cooperation with Ethiopia.

Vice President of the Pan-African Public Private Partnership Development Center, Professor Oksana Mayorova, pointed out that the organization has embarked on operations in Ethiopia focusing on facilitation of free scholarships for young students and provision of technical assistance to enterprises engaged environmental protection as well as coffee and banana production in various parts of the country.

Oksana stated that the center is working with selected higher education institutions in Ethiopia in the field of research and exchange of expertise to enhance universities’ role in community services in the social and economic spheres.

President of Bonga University, Petros Woldegiworgis, for his part, said that his institution has reached agreements with Michurinsk State Agrarian University and Ulyanovsk Pedagogical University of Russia to work in collaboration in the agriculture sector. “This shows how the cooperation between the two countries in the education sector is keeping its momentum,” he said.

He added that Bonga University has taken lessons from the experience sharing platforms held between the Ethiopian and Russian institutions on how to better serve the community in a research based approach.

Leadership of public universities, representatives of public and private companies, scientists, teachers and researchers from both Ethiopia and Russia have participated in the forum.

By Wondesen Aregahegn