President of Ethiopia Taye Atske-Selassie Amde celebrates his anniversary

The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Taye Atske-Selassie Amde, born in Debarq on 13 January 1956, turns 70 today. His career combines more than four decades of diplomatic experience with a strong academic background in political science and international relations, as reported by Fana Media Corporation, a partner of TV BRICS.

Taye Atske-Selassie Amde earned his first degree in Political Science and International Relations at Addis Ababa University and completed postgraduate studies at the same university and at Lancaster University in England, specialising in strategic studies and international diplomacy.

His career began at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, where he held key positions such as consultant in the European Department, head of the Western Europe Department and acting Director of Information. He subsequently rose to senior roles, including State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Upon his return to the country, he served as Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister with ministerial rank and, in February 2024, assumed the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

On 7 October 2024, Taye Atske-Selassie Amde assumed the presidency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia after taking the oath of office before the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the House of the Federation.

Under his presidency, Ethiopia has strengthened its participation in BRICS, focusing in particular on the environment and sustainable development.

Previously, in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Russia, Genet Teshome Jirru, noted that the country has prioritised environmental protection and the fight against desertification through initiatives such as the BRICS contact group on sustainable development and the ecological transition programme. In addition, national projects such as the “Green Legacy Initiative”, which aims to plant more than 32 billion trees, reflect Ethiopia’s commitment to a green and sustainable economy, contributing to the exchange of experience and best practices with its partners within the group.

President of Belarus Aleksander Lukashenko has sent congratulations to Taye Atske-Selassie Amde. He noted the selfless service of the Ethiopian leader to his country, the close approaches of the two countries to issues on the global agenda and cooperation on international platforms, primarily the United Nations and BRICS.

"I confirm Belarus' readiness to expand partnership relations with Ethiopia and hope that in the near future we will launch cooperation projects in the fields of industrial cooperation, agricultural mechanisation, education, culture and others that are important for our countries," Lukashenko stressed; his words are quoted on the president's website.

Photo: ENA