The UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) in Ethiopia Ozonnia Ojielo held meetings with the leadership and staff of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s ambitious development agenda through more coherent, scalable, and investment-driven approaches.The meetings marked an important step in strengthening collaboration across the UN system and aligning support with national priorities, particularly in agriculture, food systems, rural transformation, and resilience.A Call for Scale, Integration, and TransformationAcross both meetings, the RC/HC emphasized that the UN in Ethiopia is at a critical juncture. While acknowledging the strong contributions of FAO and IFAD, he underscored the need for the UN system to move toward integrated, large-scale solutions that match Ethiopia’s national ambitions. “The question is no longer what we are doing, but how our work translates into systems-level change at scale,” he stated, highlighting the importance of designing interventions that can be adopted and expanded by government, the private sector, and financial institutions.He also stressed the need to emphasize investment cases that mobilize diverse partners, including development banks, private investors, and government stakeholders around shared priorities. FAO: Advancing Agrifood Systems and Investment SolutionsFAO presented a comprehensive overview of Ethiopia’s agrifood systems, highlighting agriculture’s central role in the economy, contributing around one-third of GDP, the majority of export revenues, and employing about 70 percent of the population.  The discussion focused on key challenges, including limited access to finance, underdeveloped value chains, nutrition gaps, and constraints in infrastructure, markets, and diversification. The RC/HC encouraged FAO to leverage its strong analytical and technical expertise to bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation, particularly by developing investment cases for nutrition, irrigation, and agrifood transformation; strengthening partnerships with financial institutions and the private sector; and supporting integrated approaches that link humanitarian needs with long-term development solutions.He emphasized that FAO’s convening power positions it uniquely to connect government, investors, and partners to unlock systemic change. IFAD: Catalysing Finance for Rural TransformationIFAD’s presentation highlighted its growing role as an “assembler of development finance,” leveraging its resources to attract co-financing from multilateral institutions, climate funds, and private sector actors.  With a cumulative portfolio reaching approximately 11.6 million people and a total programme value of about USD 1.2 billion, IFAD plays a critical role in advancing rural livelihoods, climate resilience, and financial inclusion. Key programmes include:Climate-smart agriculture and rural transformation initiativesThe Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project supporting pastoral communitiesA nationwide rural financial intermediation programmeUpcoming investments in irrigation and climate resilienceThe RC/HC commended IFAD’s financing model and its ability to operate at scale, noting that such approaches are essential as traditional development financing declines. Strengthening Data, Evidence, and CoordinationBoth meetings highlighted the importance of robust data and joint analysis to guide programming and policy decisions. The RC/HC emphasized that a more accurate and evidence-based understanding of food systems, including production, access, markets, and logistics is essential for addressing food insecurity effectively. Driving UN Reform and Collective ImpactThe discussions also underscored a broader shift in the UN’s development approach in Ethiopia. The RC/HC called for greater alignment with national priorities and government leadership; stronger coherence across UN agencies and clearer focus on comparative advantage and mandates. He stressed that participation in joint initiatives must be strategic and value-driven, ensuring that each agency contributes where it has the strongest expertise.Looking AheadBoth FAO and IFAD welcomed the RC/HC’s vision and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration within the UN system and with national partners.The meetings concluded with a shared understanding that Ethiopia’s scale and potential require a step change in how development partners operate - moving toward integrated, investment-oriented, and results-driven approaches that can deliver lasting impact for millions of people.

Senior Government officials of Ethiopia, diplomats, African Union representatives and UN officials gathered in Addis Ababa to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, reaffirming a shared commitment to multilateralism at a time of growing global complexity.Hosted in one of the world’s most significant diplomatic capitals—home to both the African Union and one of the United Nations’ largest country presences—the commemoration underscored the enduring partnership between Ethiopia and the UN, while calling for renewed global cooperation and reform.  A shared legacy of cooperationMarking eight decades since the founding of the United Nations, H.E. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, reflected on the organization’s establishment and its enduring mission to promote peace, dignity, and collective progress.“Eighty years ago, the United Nations was created out of necessity… anchored in shared principles of human dignity, justice, equality, and social progress,” he said.Ethiopia’s longstanding engagement with multilateralism, shaped by its experience as a founding member of the UN and its early encounters with the limits of collective security, continues to inform its commitment to international cooperation. Addis Ababa: A global diplomatic hubUnited Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres paid tribute to Ethiopia’s historic contributions and its continued role as a key partner in advancing multilateralism.“Ethiopia remains a crucial champion of multilateralism and international cooperation,” he said.He highlighted Addis Ababa’s growing significance as a global diplomatic center, hosting the headquarters of the African Union and serving as a major hub for UN operations.Ethiopia’s contributions extend beyond diplomacy. For decades, Ethiopian personnel have served in UN peacekeeping missions and humanitarian operations worldwide, helping to protect civilians and build stability in some of the most challenging contexts. Commemorating 80 Years: The UN80 StampIn honour of the United Nations’ journey of eight decades, Ethiopia has also published a special commemorative stamp collection under the theme: “To Live Together in Peace.”The stamp honors the contributions of those who have advanced the ideals of the United Nations and reflects Ethiopia’s historic role as one of the original signatories to the UN Charter. “The four stamps tell our shared story—from signing the UN Charter in San Francisco in 1945, to deploying peacekeepers to the Congo, and hosting the first-ever UN Security Council meeting on African soil,” he said.Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also noted that the initiative pays tribute to individuals who have dedicated their lives to the UN’s mission, while also serving as a reminder of the work that remains ahead. “As we unveil this commemorative stamp, we honor all those who have dedicated their lives to the ideals of the United Nations,” he said.Secretary‑General Guterres emphasized that the commemorative stamp is both a reflection of past achievements—from peacebuilding to development—and a call to strengthen collective action in addressing today’s interconnected challenges. “These stamps that Ethiopia is generously printing remind us of our shared history and our enduring responsibility to forge a better future.” Advancing reform and representationThe anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect not only on achievements but also on the urgent need to adapt the multilateral system.Prime Minister Abiy called for a more inclusive and representative United Nations, stressing that Africa must have a stronger voice in global decision‑making processes. “The United Nations must continue to evolve to become more representative, more equitable, and more reflective of today’s realities,” he said.“Africa is ready to contribute, to take on greater responsibility, and to help build a stronger and a more credible global order.” In the same vein, the Secretary‑General reiterated the importance of reforming global governance institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, to address longstanding imbalances and ensure fair representation for Africa. “We stand firmly with the people of Ethiopia and the people of Africa in their calls for a just representation across the institutions of global governance. And this means reforming the Security Council to reflect today's world and to redress the historical injustice against Africa by making its permanent representation a priority to enhance the Council's legitimacy and effectiveness,” he said.He also highlighted the need to strengthen the role of developing countries in international financial institutions, noting the growing economic dynamism and resilience across Africa. A partnership for impactThe United Nations and Ethiopia continue to work closely to advance peace, development, and humanitarian priorities.Through its country team, the UN supports national efforts to consolidate peace, build resilient institutions, and deliver critical services to communities across Ethiopia. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that multilateral cooperation delivers tangible benefits for people, particularly in times of crisis and transition.Looking aheadAs the United Nations marks 80 years, the message from both leaders was clear: cooperation remains indispensable.Secretary General Guterres emphasized the enduring relevance of the UN’s mission.“In a world marked by challenge, change, and division, the core promise of the United Nations—peace, justice, and prosperity for all—remains as relevant and urgent today as it was 80 years ago.”In his closing statement to the commemoration, Prime Minister Abiy reaffirmed a shared path forward.“Cooperation remains the most reliable path to peace, stability, and shared progress,” he said.

UN Women Ethiopia leadership held a high‑level strategic meeting with the UN Assistant Secretary‑General (ASG) and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo (PhD), to discuss gender equality programming in Ethiopia amid ongoing UN reform, evolving development financing, and a changing national and global context.Advancing a triple mandate for Gender EqualityUN Women Representative to Ethiopia, Ms. Jennet Kem, noted in her briefing that UN Women Ethiopia implements its work through a distinctive triple mandate - normative, coordination, and operational - enabling the organization to support policy reform, align the UN system, and deliver impact on the ground. Under its normative mandate, UN Women anchors national action in global gender equality standards, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action, the Commission on the Status of Women, International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) commitments, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda under UN Security Council Resolution 1325. These frameworks guide policy reform and accountability across sectors and levels of government.Through its coordination mandate, UN Women supports system-wide gender mainstreaming across both development and humanitarian action. This includes leadership on the UN Gender Equality Scorecard, use of the Gender Marker in humanitarian financing, and alignment with the Secretary-General’s Gender Equality Acceleration Framework. UN Women also plays an active role in inter-agency coordination platforms, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).Operationally, UN Women Ethiopia delivers programmes across five priority areas: ending violence against women and girls, women’s economic empowerment, women’s political participation, women, peace and security, and gender-responsive humanitarian action.  From Projects to Impact: A Strategic PivotAt the core of the meeting was a strong call for change. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator emphasized that UN reform and “UN 2.0” demand a fundamental shift - from fragmented, small-scale projects toward catalytic interventions capable of delivering national-level impact.Ozonnia highlighted three priority areas of focus: coherence, integration, and scale. He underscored the need to move beyond traditional funding models and to reimagine programmes as investment cases that leverage financing from a range of actors. Drawing on successful experiences from other countries, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator also emphasized the importance of de‑risking investments to unlock capital for women‑led enterprises, skills development initiatives, and value chains in which women are already actively engaged.Rethinking Humanitarian Action and ResilienceThe discussion also highlighted the need to rethink humanitarian responses. While immediate lifesaving assistance remains critical, prolonged dependency undermines resilience and disproportionately constrains women’s potential. Ozonnia underlined the need for stronger humanitarian–development nexus programming that addresses root causes, builds livelihoods, and supports women’s leadership in crisis settings.As Ethiopia navigates a moment of profound transition, the meeting concluded with a shared understanding that gender equality is not peripheral to national development - it is central. UN Women, under the leadership of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, who heads the UN team in Ethiopiam, and in partnership with the wider UN system, stands ready to deliver on this vision with ambition, innovation, and scale. 

The exchange focused on UNESCO’s diverse portfolio and broader reflections on the role, relevance, and future positioning of the UN system in Ethiopia.During the meeting, Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Addis Ababa, highlighted UNESCO’s role as both the National Office to Ethiopia and the liaison office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). She also underscored the breadth of UNESCO’s mandates, spanning education, science, culture, social and human sciences, as well as communication and information.Sector leads also presented UNESCO’s key programme priorities and ongoing initiatives. In education, UNESCO outlined its engagement across the full education continuum, including early childhood, skills development, technical and higher education, and education in emergencies. Current initiatives include digital education and artificial intelligence, climate education, health and wellbeing in schools, higher education reform, recognition of qualifications for refugees and migrants, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.The science sector highlighted UNESCO’s work in mobilizing scientific knowledge to address climate change, water security, ecosystem management, and innovation. Ethiopia’s six UNESCO biosphere reserves, efforts to strengthen integrated water resources governance, and initiatives to promote women in science were underscored, alongside preparations for an upcoming African regional forum on science, technology, and innovation to be hosted in Addis Ababa.In the area of culture, UNESCO described its support to Ethiopia’s rich tangible and intangible heritage, including its twelve World Heritage sites. Ongoing work on heritage protection, museum development, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of cultural and creative industries was highlighted.The Communication and Information sector presented its support to the country in the areas of media development, media and information literacy, access to information, and the ethical dimensions of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.Commending UNESCO’s work and reflecting on changes in the global development landscape, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator stressed that the UN must continue demonstrating its relevance by working in a more coherent, integrated, and scalable manner. He also urged UNESCO’s leadership to continue delivering its mandates in response to national priorities and needs, while leveraging partnerships with a broad range of supporters and stakeholders.