Addis Ababa, September 23, 2025 (FMC) – Chile’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rodrigo Guzmán Barros, has praised the rapid transformation of Addis Ababa, saying the city is increasingly reflecting its role as the political and diplomatic capital of Africa.
Speaking exclusively to Fana Arabic podcast’s Sarah Bedru, the ambassador said that since his arrival in March 2023, he has witnessed significant changes in the Ethiopian capital.
He attributed this progress to the government’s strategic planning and the vision of the Prime Minister and the Mayor, which, he noted, are turning Addis Ababa into a modern African city and a model of urban development.
Recalling the long-standing ties between the two nations, Ambassador Guzmán pointed out that Ethiopia and Chile established diplomatic relations in 1945 and are celebrating their 80th anniversary this year.
On cooperation, he highlighted shared priorities such as climate change, the green economy, and the circular economy.
He emphasized Ethiopia’s leadership through the Green Legacy Initiative and Chile’s global role in ocean conservation as areas of complementarity, while also identifying women’s empowerment in the economy and education as another promising field.
Speaking on investment and trade, the ambassador acknowledged that exchanges remain limited.
He underlined, however, that building cultural bridges and mutual understanding is essential before moving toward deeper economic partnerships. He also noted that tourism exchanges are currently weak but could be significantly boosted by stronger cultural ties and the possible launch of a direct flight via Ethiopian Airlines.
On climate action, Ambassador Guzmán praised Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative, adding that Chile’s own policies in clean and renewable energy provide opportunities for cooperation.
Looking ahead, he described the future of relations between Ethiopia and Chile as promising, with potential to expand across economic, cultural, and scientific fields.
“Relations between the two countries must be built on mutual knowledge and culture,” he stressed, noting that cultural understanding is the foundation for trust and stronger diplomacy.