Ethiopia's President Addresses UNGA 80th Session on Global Challenges and Development

UNGA 80th Session Address

• 🇪🇹 President Taye Atskeselassie Amde of Ethiopia addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, marking the organization's anniversary.
• 👏 Congratulations are extended to the President of the 80th session and thanks given to the President of the 79th session for their leadership.

UN Achievements and Deficiencies

• 🌟 The UN has achieved significant milestones over 80 years, including decolonization, conflict prevention, humanitarian aid, and progress on development and climate goals.
• ⚠️ However, the UN suffers from systemic issues like lack of impartiality, selectivity, double standards, and inequitable representation in global security, political, and financial structures.
• 📉 Concerns are raised about isolationist policies, military buildup, and a retraction from development and climate commitments, which undermine international cooperation.

Ethiopia's Stance on Global Issues

• 🕊️ Ethiopia advocates for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, emphasizing diplomacy over violence and supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
• 🤝 The international community is urged to end violence and stalemate in the Middle East, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches all in need.
• 🌍 Ethiopia supports the UN reform process, particularly the UN8 initiative, to preserve the General Assembly's mandate and calls for decentralization of institutional and financial capacity to the Global South.

Africa's Development and Challenges

• 📈 Africa, guided by Agenda 2063, is experiencing high economic growth and increasing domestic revenue mobilization, with unmatched climate action.
• 💰 Despite achievements, Africa is impacted by global crises, especially the compounding debt crisis, necessitating an ambitious agenda on development finance and a call for debt cancellation, restructuring, and suspension.
• 🇪🇹 Ethiopia reiterates Africa's call for priority representation in the UN Security Council, emphasizing that Africa's representation in both membership categories is crucial for justice.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Regional Cooperation

• 💧 The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been commissioned, significantly boosting Ethiopia's renewable energy capacity to over 5,000 megawatts, providing clean energy to 60 million Ethiopians.
• 🌱 GERD is seen as a symbol of liberation, promising power, employment, food security, and improved water access, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals and regional connectivity.
• 🤝 Ethiopia emphasizes the importance of cooperation among Nile River basin riparian countries and promotes Pan-African aspirations for true independence driven by African agency.

Maritime Security and Conclusion

• 🚢 Ethiopia highlights the importance of safety and security in maritime navigation in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, advocating for equal access and use of the high seas as a common heritage of mankind.
• 🌐 Ethiopia is committed to multilateralism, the UN Charter, and contributing to collective security and sustainable development, believing in humanity's triumph over rivalry and hopelessness.