Ethiopia wrapped up preparations to actively engage in UNGA79 – MFA

Addis Ababa, September 19, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia has wrapped up its preparations to actively engage in the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA79) and promote its national interest prerogatives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The newly appointed Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, delivered the bi-weekly press briefing of the Ministry this morning.

In his presser, Ambassador Nebiat briefed local and international correspondents present on current affairs as well as regional and global issues of interest to Ethiopia.

Speaking of the upcoming and 79th United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Spokesman stated, the Ethiopian delegation has wrapped up its preparations to actively participate in the deliberations in a manner that it reflects and promotes the national interests of Ethiopia. Parallel to championing its national interests, Ambassador Nebiat noted, Ethiopia will also keenly uphold African interests across issues of African concern.

He also mentioned the fact that, the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) will be conducted under the theme “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations”.

The high-level delegation will also take part in other side meetings and events to further enhance Ethiopia’s interests and upscale Ethiopia’s principled participation in multilateral fora, he told journalists.

While addressing geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Nebiat said, Ethiopia’s foreign policy prioritises neighbouring countries and anchors Ethiopia’s pivotal role in the region’s peace, stability and development. In this regard, he said, Ethiopia will not passively observe any attempts to destabilise the region as well as to thwart its development efforts.

In the area of economic and citizen-centred diplomacy, the Spokesperson underscored the fact that the Ministry together with Ethiopia’s diplomatic and consular missions as well as other key stakeholders is focused on leveraging opportunities around the world to market Ethiopian products, to expand market options, and to attract foreign direct investment towards realising our national development aspirations.

On the recent saga of Ethiopian nationals victimised by online human trafficking rings in Myanmar, the Spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the Ethiopian Government to help the victims and stated that the Ethiopian Embassy in Japan is closely following developments to provide assistance to our nationals. He also urged members of the public, especially the youth, to protect themselves from being ensnared by the allures human trafficking rings, near and far.

Ambassador Nebiat Getachew took over the Office of Spokesperson from his predecessor Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla earlier this month, as reported by the Ministry.