Addis Ababa, September 3, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie has received international recognition as a “Champion for Early Childhood Development” from the global Act for Early Years initiative, recognizing her leadership and the city administration’s investments in advancing early childhood development.
The recognition particularly acknowledges the administration’s “Addis Ababa Future Hope Early Childhood Development Initiative,” which focuses on strengthening investment and action aimed at supporting children’s development during their formative years.
The Act for Early Years initiative works to place early childhood at the center of government policies and international investment agendas, seeking to strengthen global attention to the importance of the early years.
The recognition was conferred through former United Kingdom Prime Minister and United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown, on behalf of the initiative’s partners and in collaboration with various partner institutions, including UNICEF and UNESCO.
The recognition is expected to further strengthen efforts to position Addis Ababa as a model of urban leadership in early childhood development in Africa.
It also highlights the city administration’s efforts to advance early childhood development through dedicated initiatives and investment, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s ambition to play a leading role in shaping child-centered urban development on the continent.