New York — President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia has arrived in New York to lead his country’s delegation at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, a summit that has drawn dozens of heads of state and government to debate the future of multilateral cooperation.
The Ethiopian delegation includes State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera and senior officials from across national institutions.
The gathering, held under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” is both a commemoration of the United Nations’ founding in 1945 and a forum for governments to press their national and regional agendas.
For Ethiopia, the Assembly offers an opportunity to reaffirm its role in shaping Africa’s collective voice at the U.N. and to highlight its domestic priorities in development, peace, and security.
The delegation is expected to address issues ranging from climate resilience and economic growth to conflict prevention in the Horn of Africa.
Officials said Addis Ababa will also hold a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines, using the platform to strengthen strategic partnerships and safeguard Ethiopia’s core interests.
The General Assembly meets at a time of profound international uncertainty. Conflicts in multiple regions, deepening climate impacts, and rising concerns over global inequality have placed unusual strain on the U.N. system.
Ethiopia has underscored that the 80th anniversary marks not just a milestone but a call for renewed commitment to multilateralism.
“Today’s challenges cannot be addressed in isolation,” one senior official said, adding that the country views cooperation as central to peace and development.
Ethiopia’s participation is also closely watched given its recent diplomatic efforts within Africa and beyond.
The government has consistently presented itself as a proponent of regional integration, pointing to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as both a symbol of national development and a potential driver of shared regional benefits.
At the U.N., analysts expect Ethiopia to link such national projects with broader appeals for equitable global frameworks on energy, trade, and resource management.
As world leaders gather in New York, Ethiopia’s message is expected to echo a broader African perspective: that multilateralism must deliver tangible results for peace, growth, and human rights.
For Addis Ababa, the Assembly is both a stage for diplomacy and a test of how effectively it can balance its domestic needs with Africa’s shared priorities.