የሩሲያ-አፍሪካ አጋርነት እና የባለብዙ ማዕከል ዓለም መፈጠር

Today, we're looking at a relationship with a long memory and a future that is becoming increasingly important.

Russia and Africa have been connected for generations.

The story did not begin with today's headlines.

It goes back to the period of African liberation, to diplomatic ties, to education and training, to political support, and in Ethiopia's case specifically, to an even older history of contact and mutual recognition.

But history alone does not explain what is happening now.

And across Africa, countries are asking a practical question.

How can we widen the number of partners available for trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, education, and development? So that question is becoming more important as global economy changes.

New economy centers are growing.

BRICS is expanding its role.

African countries are seeking greater value for their resources.

Governments are looking for new technology partnerships.

And there is also a growing discussion about whether international institutions still reflect the world as it looks today.

And Ethiopia sits directly inside this conversation.

The country is a BRICS member.

Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union.

Ethiopia has long maintained diplomatic relationships with Russia.

And this year, discussions around technology, AI development, trade and the wider Russia-Africa partnership have gained new attention.

And one important part of that story has been the diplomatic activity surrounding Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in July.

Lavrov traveled to Addis Ababa for the annual high-level consultations between Russia and the African Union.

His visit included meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedeon Timotios.

as well as discussions with the leadership of the African Union Commission.

The talks covered a wide range of areas, trade and investment, technology transfer, education and science, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health and emerging technologies.

And the discussions also included regional peace and security cooperation through BRICS and the United Nations and the question of reforming global institutions.

And there was a clear economic theme here.

The African Union and Russia discussed the need to expand trade and investment while increasing value addition to African agricultural products and mineral resources and The consultations also reaffirmed Russia's support for stronger African representation in the United Nations Security Council, including permanent African representation.