Addressing a meeting with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly, the head of the UN said he felt deep solidarity with the people of that African nation after recalling his days at the multilateral organization’s Refugee Agency.

I wish Ethiopia success in addressing its socio-economic challenges, Guterres said.

Mekonnen, in turn, praised the United Nations, and Guterres in particular, for his dedication in supporting Ethiopia during the difficult times of the past, as he reported about the implementation of the peace agreement that ended the armed conflict in his country’s northern region in November 2022.

He called on the world community to support reconstruction, rehabilitation, and other humanitarian efforts.

Mekonnen’s agenda also included a meeting with his Dutch counterpart Hanke Bruins Slot, who expressed support for Ethiopia’s development efforts and commitment to further deepening economic ties.

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