Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has concluded a diverse slate of bilateral meetings at the G20 Summit, engaging directly with the leaders of Brazil, the Netherlands, and Italy, alongside UN and CAF officials, to secure cooperation on issues ranging from COP32 preparation to trade and sports infrastructure.
In a series of five strategic bilateral meetings, the Prime Minister engaged with leaders from the UN, Brazil, the Netherlands, Italy, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), weaving together a narrative of Ethiopia as a central player in global climate action and continental development.
Lessons from Brazil and UN Support
The Prime Ministers agenda was heavily anchored by Ethiopia's upcoming role as host of COP32 in 2027.
In a key meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, discussions moved beyond standard bilateral cooperation to focused strategic planning. PM Abiy highlighted that Brazil, as the recent host of COP30, has "valuable lessons to share."
"We plan to consolidate these insights to ensure a well-prepared and impactful hosting that advances global climate action,"PM Abiy stated, noting that the two nations also discussed sustainable infrastructure.
This reinforced his earlier dialogue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where the leaders discussed strengthening multilateral cooperation and confirmed specific UN support for Ethiopias COP32 presidency.
Economic Diplomacy: Strengthening Dutch Ties
Shifting to trade and investment, PM Abiy held a productive session with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. The Prime Minister identified the Netherlands as "one of our key export destinations"and urged for expanded investment.
"The Netherlands offers significant potential to expand investments and economic cooperation,"PM Abiy noted, adding that they explored opportunities to deepen relations through further visits and exchanges.
Continental Sport and Youth
Diversifying his portfolio, the Prime Minister met with CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepeto discuss the future of African football. The talks centered on Ethiopias commitment to "youth development"and "sports infrastructure"to help elevate the African game on the global stage.
The Diplomatic Finale: Italy
Prime Minister Abiy explicitly marked his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonias the conclusion of his official itinerary.
"The last of my bilaterals at the G20 Summit was with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,"he confirmed.
This final engagement focused on "global and regional affairs"and reviewing key bilateral issues, effectively capping a summit that saw Ethiopia bridge the gap between global climate policy, European trade, and African development.
