KEYIR NEWS - July 2025 marked a decisive month for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, whose leadership spanned national reforms, regional diplomacy, and influential participation in global platforms. From addressing lawmakers on Ethiopia’s development trajectory to representing the nation at the BRICS Summit and co-hosting a major UN gathering, Abiy’s schedule underscored a blend of domestic focus and international outreach.
Early in the month, Abiy appeared before the parliament to review the government’s progress in implementing the 2024/25 national development plan. Offering a candid assessment, he detailed the macroeconomic challenges, persistent inflation, high unemployment, trade deficits, low productivity in agriculture and industry, and a constrained business environment.
Despite these hurdles, the Prime Minister reported tangible progress in agriculture, industry, mining, services, finance, and foreign trade, attributing gains to targeted reforms and coordinated sectoral strategies.
Turning to peace and security, Abiy warned that political instability continues to be fuelled by divisive ideologies and misinformation. Nevertheless, he stressed the government’s steadfast commitment to peaceful regional relations, noting the country has avoided armed conflict with any of its neighbours for the past seven years.
Regionally, Abiy reaffirmed Ethiopia’s role as a partner in stability, while globally, he pursued an assertive diplomatic agenda. Ahead of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.
His meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang marked the 55th anniversary of Ethio-China relations, with both sides pledging deeper cooperation in industry, mining, ICT, clean energy, logistics, and artificial intelligence.
At the BRICS Summit, Abiy addressed the opening session on peace, security, and global governance. Calling for reforms to international financial institutions and decision-making structures, he advocated for a fairer, more cooperative global order. He underscored BRICS’ growing influence in shaping a multipolar world and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s active role since joining the bloc in 2023.
The month also saw Ethiopia at the centre of global food security discussions. Co-hosting the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa, Abiy welcomed world leaders including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Kenya’s William Ruto, Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Comoros’ Azali Assoumani.
Bilateral meetings explored regional stability, trade, and climate resilience. Discussions with UN Under-Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture through climate-smart policies and community-driven solutions.
In his keynote address at the summit, Abiy urged for predictable, concessional financing to boost investments in agriculture, rural infrastructure, and nutrition. He showcased his strategies to enhance local food production and reduce reliance on imports, framing food systems reform as central to national resilience.
A formal dinner at the National Palace honoured international delegates, reinforcing the country’s position as a convenor of global dialogue.
Concluding the month, Abiy convened the Council of Ministers to evaluate the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year’s national development plan, aligning it with the country’s long-term growth agenda.
July 2025 thus stood out as a month of dynamic, multidimensional leadership, one that balanced the demands of domestic reform with the imperatives of international cooperation, projecting Ethiopia as both a reform-driven nation and an engaged global actor.
By STAFF REPORTER