Former President of Ethiopia Dr. Mulatu Teshome took part in Astana International Forum

Astana, June 9, 2023 – Former President of Ethiopia Mulatu Teshome took part in the Astana International Forum, which brought together more than a thousand experts and delegations from 70 countries of the world.

Immediately after the plenary session, a special panel session «Dialogue with Mulatu Teshome, the former President of Ethiopia» was held. M.Teshome spoke on the topic: Pan-Africanism and the growing role of Africa in addressing global challenges. During the session, he shared his opinion and deep understanding of African affairs, his views on the historical significance and modern relevance of pan-Africanism as a unifying ideology for the African continent. The former President of Ethiopia also answered journalists' questions about the new role of Africa in addressing the most important global challenges, ways to overcome the problems of climate change, economic inequality, ensuring peace and security, as well as sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the delegation of Ethiopia held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin. During the conversation, the Minister noted the great untapped trade and economic potential of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Ethiopia. The economies of the two countries are mutually complementary, both countries are considered the largest landlocked countries and are trying to use their transit potential to compensate for geographical remoteness from the open seas. In recent years, there has been a steady growth in mutual trade and the current visit of the Ethiopian delegation with a business mission may give an impetus to increase the pace of economic cooperation.

The members of the Ethiopian delegation thanked for the warm reception and noted the well organization of the Forum, which provided a global platform for experts from all over the world, including from Africa, and made the work of the Forum in Astana inclusive and useful. They expressed great interest in expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation with Kazakhstan. In this context, the meetings held with Kazakh business on the eve of the Forum in Astana gave a good start to the development of economic cooperation at the business level.

In general, both sides stressed their mutual interest in expanding bilateral cooperation and agreed to work together in this direction.

In terms of familiarization with the culture of Kazakhstan, the delegation of Ethiopia visited the Gala Concert of Artists of Kazakhstan at the Astana Opera.