On 2^nd to 3^rd May 2019, the 26^th global celebration of World Press Freedom Day, will take place in Addis Ababa.

Jointly organized by UNESCO, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the African Union Commission, the international conference will be held at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa and will be focused on the role of the media in elections and democracy.

The decision by Ethiopia to host World Press Freedom Day was announced following a meeting between Markos Tekle, State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ana Elisa Santana Afonso, UNESCO Liaison Office Director, in November.

This follows a fruitful collaboration between UNESCO and the African Union Commission, through the Regional Coordination Mechanism Framework, in promoting freedom of expression and the role of a healthy African media in achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Moez Chakchouk, welcomed Ethiopia’s decision to host the event, stating that this “illustrates the Ethiopian government’s commitment to democratic reforms, especially in the media sector, which has opened up the space for media freedoms and for strengthening respect for human rights in the country including online freedom of expression”.

About 1,000 participants and high-profile speakers are expected to attend the event, including representatives from governmental and international organizations, the media, academia and civil society.

A dedicated website and online registration page will be set up shortly on the UNESCO website and partners interested in organising panels related to the theme or partnering with UNESCO in other ways, are invited to contact UNESCO.