Statement from His Excellency Teferi Melesse Desta, Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Each year, on 21^st September, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world, a day devoted to strengthening peace by observing a 24-hour world-wide cease-fire.

This year, the UN says, COVID-19 has reminded us that what happens in one part of the world can impact people everywhere. Today, the UN invites the world “to unite and share thoughts on how to heal our planet and change it for the better, by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred.”

On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, Ambassador Teferi made the following statement at an event organised by United Ethiopians, a London-based civic organisation.

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Ethiopia’s proud history of peacekeeping

Ethiopia plays a leading role in the maintenance of international peace and security through UN platforms and is also committed to the promotion of regional peace and security within IGAD (the Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and the African Union.

In 1945, Ethiopia was among 50 nations that signed the United Nations Charter. As a founding member, Ethiopia has a long history of participation and engagement with the UN and its activities.

Ethiopia is now one of the largest overall contributor of uniformed personnel to United Nation’s peacekeeping.

Ethiopia sees the advancement of democratic reform as a way of guaranteeing peace

Recent years have seen the release of leaders and members of political parties from prison; the widening of the political space; the lifting of repressive laws such as the CSO law and those concerning the operation of political parties, electoral reform, and judicial reform; media freedom; and the lifting of terrorist designation on parties that previously called for armed struggle.

Challenges remain, of course as Ethiopia is in transition, which is why the Ministry of Peace was established, to prevent and resolve conflicts, to bring equitable development across the regions of Ethiopia, and to create stability.

The Government aims to bring equitable development, prevent and resolve conflicts, and maintain good relations, peace, and tolerance among Ethiopia’s different religions and beliefs.

Together we can make a better future for ourselves, for our Ethiopia, for our region, for our continent, and for the world at large.

—ENDS—

Background

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

This year, the International Day of Peace is being held under the theme Shaping Peace Together.