ADDIS ABABA (Horn post) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called for “fair, inclusive, and responsive” reform of the United Nations, saying the global body must adapt to today’s rapidly changing international realities.
Speaking at a ceremony in Addis Ababa marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Abiy stressed that the multilateral system must be strengthened to better address global challenges including peace and security, economic development, climate change, and technological transformation.
Ethiopia also unveiled a special commemorative stamp themed “Coexistence in Peace” to mark the UN’s eight decades of existence, highlighting the country’s longstanding relationship with the organization.
The prime minister said the UN was founded after a devastating global war with the aim of promoting peace, dignity, and stability among nations, and that these principles remain central to its charter.
Abiy noted that Ethiopia, as one of the founding signatories of the UN Charter in 1945, has played an active role in supporting multilateral cooperation, while also learning from the limitations of the international system during periods of global crisis.
He emphasized that the gap between international commitments and real-world implementation has widened, warning that declining trust between states and rising geopolitical tensions are weakening global cooperation.
“Global institutions must evolve to remain fair, inclusive, and effective,” Abiy said, adding that Africa must be better represented in international decision-making structures.
He also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to contributing to a stronger and more reliable global order based on cooperation, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Ethiopia’s role in multilateral diplomacy, describing the country as an example of international cooperation and long-standing engagement with the United Nations system.
Guterres thanked Ethiopian leaders for hosting the commemorative event and noted that the special stamp reflects the historic relationship between Ethiopia and the UN since its founding.
He reiterated that Ethiopia remains a key partner in promoting peace, development, and regional stability, while also highlighting its status as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
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Prepared by:
Horn post staff
News Deska Hargeisa
