Ethiopia’s Parliament Speaker Tagesse Chafo said expanding bilateral relations with Iran is a priority, citing opportunities for political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Speaking in Tehran, Chafo and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf highlighted more than 70 years of diplomatic ties and the role of parliamentary diplomacy. Officials said shared BRICS membership could support closer collaboration, with discussions covering trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and future reciprocal visits.

Ethiopia launched nationwide public dialogues to review achievements and challenges under the Medemer State philosophy. The discussions are taking place in more than 25 cities and bring together citizens, community leaders, and officials. Participants are assessing development progress, governance reforms, and future priorities while highlighting concerns over the cost of living, unemployment, housing, and service delivery. Officials said the dialogues aim to strengthen public ownership of reforms, enhance accountability, and promote inclusive civic participation nationwide.

Ethiopia’s National Election Board announced that the country’s seventh general election will be held on June 1, 2026. NEBE Chairperson Melatwork Hailu said preparations are underway, including organizing branch offices, improving polling stations, and training political parties. Candidate registration will be conducted through newly developed software, alongside voter registration using both digital and manual systems. The board is also finalizing digital registration tools for election observers.

Ethiopia and the Republic of the Congo signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement to boost political and security coordination. Senior defense officials finalized the memorandum in Addis Ababa. Authorities said the deal formalizes joint work on security policy, peacekeeping, and institutional collaboration. It also strengthens diplomatic relations and supports Africa-led approaches to regional stability through direct state-to-state defense partnerships.

Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States during the 120th OACPS Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels. State Minister of Finance Semereta Sewasew said Ethiopia supports collective action to address global challenges. She highlighted priorities including institutional reform, financial sustainability, trade and investment, sustainable development, and peace. Ministers also discussed preparations for the 11th OACPS Summit scheduled for March 2026.

Outgoing New Zealand Ambassador Michael Upton praised Ethiopia’s physical transformation and reform agenda while reaffirming New Zealand’s commitment to deeper engagement. He said talks with President Taye Atske Selassie focused on expanding cooperation in trade, services, and technology despite the limited current exchange. Upton highlighted ongoing support in geothermal energy, climate-smart agriculture, education scholarships, and humanitarian assistance. He also emphasized Ethiopia’s regional role, resilience goals, and the need to address social impacts alongside development reforms.