Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that encouraging activities have been underway to sustain Addis Ababa as a hub and preferable city for diplomatic mission and international organizations.
A panel discussion prepared by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) is underway under the theme: "Addis Ababa is in A New Diplomatic Height."
Ethiopian News Agency organized the panel in collaboration with the Ethiopian Diaspora Service and Ovid Investment Group.
The event was attended by government officials, city mayors, senior diplomats, historians, media managers, and other stakeholders.
As Addis Ababa is the seat of many diplomatic missions and international organizations, massive infrastructure activities have been undertaken to help it become a smart city, it was indicated during the occasion.
In his opening remark on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, Ambassador Eshet Tilahun said that the panel discussion has come in the right time to consult on Addis Ababa's development projects on social and economic spheres that will continue to serve a diplomatic center.
The ambassador also indicated that in order to make Addis Ababa a hub and preferable city for diplomatic missions, many infrastructural activities have been executed to beautify its image.
He also stressed the need to modernize the city that fits with the 21st century diplomatic outlook.
For him, Addis Ababa still needs more development so as to strengthen conference tourism to attract massive global meetings.
On his part, Deacon Daniel Kibret, Prime Minister's Social Affairs Advisor with the Rank of Minister said that Addis Ababa as well as other cities in the country should pursue a better way by taking their potential into account.
Noting that Ethiopia is endowed with various historical and cultural heritages, he stressed the need for the country to promote and use these heritages as a diplomatic tool to build the nation’s image.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian News Agency, Seife Deribe underscored that the agency is striving for creating national consensus through a dominant common narrative to the development of Ethiopia.
More importantly, he noted ENA has prioritized image-building and diplomatic issues in its media productions in various international languages.
Accordingly, today's panel discussion is vital to assess the challenges and opportunities that Addis Ababa has as the third diplomatic hub in the world.
The CEO also hoped the panel discussion would suggest solutions and point out ways on how Addis Ababa could keep its good reputation in the diplomatic arena.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency