His Excellency Dr. Jamal Bakr Abdullah, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the United Arab Emirates, described the visit of Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to the UAE as a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, as it moved the partnership into a new and bold strategic era.
He told Iris Media in Abu Dhabi: “This visit is of particular importance as it is the first visit of its kind by a head of state in light of the current security situation facing the UAE, with the aim of expressing solidarity with the country.”
He added: “This visit carries significant strategic implications, as it reaffirms Ethiopia’s unwavering support for the UAE and its complete solidarity with it in these difficult circumstances. Ethiopia condemns the ongoing Iranian attacks targeting the security and stability of the UAE and the Gulf region in general.”
It also affirms our country’s commitment to supporting the UAE based on the principles of sovereignty, regional stability, and rejection of escalation.”
His Excellency the Ambassador explained: “The UAE continues to play an increasingly important role as a regional stabilizing force and a trusted partner in the Horn of Africa. This partnership has contributed to boosting trade between Asia and Africa, developing ports and supply chains, supporting food security initiatives, and expanding economic cooperation. He emphasized that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit is a broader strategic step that goes beyond bilateral relations to reshaping regional balances, strengthening alliances in the face of common challenges, and consolidating economic integration between the Gulf States and Africa.”
He said: “Condemning these attacks confirms the clear political consensus and sends a strong message of support for regional security and stability. It also highlights the importance of joint coordination in combating terrorism, protecting vital maritime routes such as Bab al-Mandab, and countering destabilizing external influences.”
Strengthening economic relations
The Ethiopian ambassador stated: “The United Arab Emirates is one of Ethiopia’s most prominent economic and investment partners, with more than 129 Emirati companies operating in the Ethiopian market. These investments directly contribute to driving sustainable development, promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and improving living standards.”
He added: “The UAE’s investments in Ethiopia reached approximately US$2.9 billion by the end of 2022. With a population exceeding 130 million, Ethiopia represents a vast and promising market for UAE exports, and it also serves as a major gateway for UAE investments in East Africa.”
He added: “Given Africa’s landlocked location, the ports and logistics sector is the cornerstone of our partnership. DP World plays a pivotal role in this area through major projects aimed at connecting Ethiopia to regional ports, and the Berbera-Addis Ababa corridor is a model of advanced logistics integration and a key driver of trade and economic growth in the region.”
An ambitious vision for tourism and aviation
His Excellency the Ambassador said: “The Ethiopian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is implementing a comprehensive strategy to develop the tourism sector and enhance its global appeal. This strategy includes major projects to diversify tourism offerings, rehabilitate cities, especially the capital Addis Ababa, along with more than 70 cities across the country, create artificial lakes and modern recreational areas, and establish integrated eco-resorts that offer high-end tourism experiences.”
He added: “Ethiopia’s rich natural and cultural resources qualify the country to be a promising destination for both tourists and investors. We are working to enhance tourism infrastructure, offer investment incentives, and improve air connectivity with the UAE, which plays a pivotal role in establishing Addis Ababa as a hub connecting Africa to the Middle East. We are also currently building Africa’s largest airport, with a capacity of 110 million passengers annually and an estimated cost of US$12.5 billion. This project is expected to transform the African aviation sector and contribute to strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a regional and global center for air transport and trade.”
About anticipating the future
The Ethiopian Ambassador concluded his statement by saying: “Relations between the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia are witnessing steady progress towards broader horizons of cooperation and strategic partnership, guided by a shared vision for development, stability and prosperity. The next phase will witness more impactful initiatives that serve the common interests of the two brotherly countries and enhance their presence on the global stage.”
