ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) opened the highly anticipated “Ethiopia Delivers Summit” this week, delivering a powerful address centered on the theme, “From Reform to Lasting Change.” The summit served as a comprehensive platform to review the outcomes and far-reaching economic impacts of key national reforms successfully implemented over the past eight years.
The gathering drew significant international attention and praise from leading developmental bodies. In his keynote remarks at the summit, Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), hailed Ethiopia as a compelling, real-world example of transformative reform on the continent.
Mr. Gatete specifically outlined several key pillars driving Ethiopia’s recent progress. He lauded the ambitious Green Legacy Initiative, a sweeping national energy transformation anchored by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a pioneering e-mobility-led shift in the nation’s transportation sector, and the relentless, continued global expansion of Ethiopian Airlines. Together, these initiatives have fortified the country’s economic foundation and accelerated its transition toward sustainable growth.
Emphasizing Ethiopia’s rising global stature, Gatete pointed to a monumental milestone: the nation’s selection to host the upcoming COP32 climate summit. He described this prestigious achievement as the most powerful reflection of Ethiopia’s growing diplomatic and environmental standing on the world stage. The selection, Gatete noted, is a clear testament that Africa is no longer merely responding to global challenges, but is actively stepping up to lead the way in sustainable development and climate resilience.
Concluding his address, Mr. Gatete reaffirmed the ECA’s unwavering, full commitment to supporting Ethiopia throughout its ongoing reform journey, as well as advancing the broader, unified African development agenda.
As the “Ethiopia Delivers Summit” continues, regional leaders and international stakeholders are expected to map out the next phase of economic and social initiatives designed to cement the lasting changes highlighted by the Prime Minister.
