Kazakhstan-Ethiopia Political Relations
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia were established on September 5, 2011, through an exchange of diplomatic notes. Kazakhstan views Ethiopia as a pragmatic and predictable partner in Africa and is interested in comprehensive strengthening of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation.
High- and Top-level Visits
December 11-12, 2013 - An official visit of Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yerlan Idrissov, to Ethiopia took place. He held meetings with President Mulatu Teshome, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tedros Adhanom. Following the negotiations, the parties agreed to continue developing political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, and investment cooperation.
January 27-31, 2016 - A visit of Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yerzhan Ashikbayev, to Addis Ababa took place.
March 2, 2023 - In Baku, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kanat Tumysh, met with Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen. The parties discussed the state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. The Ethiopian side confirmed its support for the initiative of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to create an International Agency for Biological Safety.
June 6, 2023 - Former President of Ethiopia, Mulatu Teshome, participated in a Special Panel Session of the Astana International Forum and delivered a report on "Pan-Africanism and the growing role of Africa in addressing global challenges." On the sidelines of the forum, he also met with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Trade and Integration, Serik Zhumangarin.
July 1, 2025 - The First Vice-Rector and Head of the Oncology Department of the S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Dina Kaydarova, participated in the prestigious "Rays of Hope 2025" Forum, which was held in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, from June 30 to July 1, 2025.
July 27-29, 2025 - The Vice-Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerbol Taszhurekov, participated in the Second UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) held in Addis Ababa.
Interaction between Foreign Ministries
September 22, 2016 - A Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Ethiopia was signed in New York on the sidelines of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly. The parties agreed to hold consultations on bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest.
December 28, 2021 - The first inter-ministerial consultations were held via video conference at the level of Senior Officials. During the event, the Director of the Department of the Middle East and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Oleg Onalbayev, and the Director-General of the Department of Asia and Pacific Countries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mekonnen Asfo, discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, ways to intensify inter-parliamentary dialogue, develop the bilateral legal framework, and exchanged views on topical issues of the international and regional agenda.
March 5, 2023 - A video conference meeting was held between representatives of the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies (IFPS) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. The Kazakhstani delegation was headed by the Chairman of the Board of IFPS, Bulat Nurgaliyev, while the FSI was represented by Executive Director Demeke Amba. During the meeting, experts exchanged views and assessments of the situation in international security, sustainable development, and regional cooperation. Following the meeting, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the two institutions.
July 3, 2023 - The second round of political consultations took place in Astana, with the participation of Ethiopia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Misganu Arga, who arrived in Kazakhstan for the talks. Following the second round of consultations, a final Protocol of political consultations and a Roadmap for its implementation for 2024-2025 were adopted.
Inter-parliamentary Dialogue
November 28, 2022 - The first inter-parliamentary meeting of members of the friendship groups of Kazakhstan and Ethiopia was held, during which the parties agreed to promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries at their level. The Kazakhstani delegation was headed by the Chairperson of the Committee on International Cooperation, Defense and Security of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Aigul Kuspan. The Parliament of Ethiopia was represented by the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on International Relations and Peace Issues of the House of People's Representatives of the Parliament of Ethiopia, Dr. Dima Noggo Sarbo.
December 26, 2023 - A meeting of members of the friendship groups of the parliaments of Kazakhstan and Ethiopia was held online. The friendship group from the Kazakhstani side was headed by a member of the Committee on Legislation and Judicial-Legal Reform of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Zharkynbek Amantay, while the Ethiopian delegation was headed by the Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Resources and Technology of the House of People's Representatives of the Parliament of Ethiopia, Betelhem Lakew.
January 31 - February 2, 2025 - A meeting was held between Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan MP S. Nurtaza and the Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of Ethiopia, D. Nogo, and the Chairperson of the friendship group of Kazakhstan – Ethiopia, Ms. Betelhem.
Cooperation within International Organizations
Kazakhstan and Ethiopia have developed and maintain trusting relationships within multilateral global structures. Thanks to continuous work and friendly contacts at various levels, Kazakhstan and Ethiopia carry out a mutually beneficial exchange of support within UN system organizations. Previously, on a reciprocal basis, Ethiopia supported Kazakhstan during the voting for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2017-2018, for the host country of EXPO-2017, for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), on the issue of including the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in the list of UNESCO material heritage, and others.