Addis Ababa, November 7, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia and Viet Nam held constructive talks today to advance Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and further strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.
The Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations, Tsegab Kebebew, met with Viet Nam’s Permanent Representative to the UN, WTO, and other international organizations, Mai Phan Dung, to discuss issues of mutual interest within the framework of Ethiopia’s WTO accession.
Both sides welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral market access negotiations, with Tsegab emphasizing Ethiopia’s readiness to finalize discussions by the end of November 2025. He noted that timely conclusion of the negotiations would support Ethiopia’s seamless integration into the multilateral trading system and unlock new opportunities for trade and investment between the two reform-oriented economies.
The meeting also recalled the outcomes of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Viet Nam in April 2025, which marked a new chapter in bilateral relations. The visit resulted in the signing of key trade and education agreements and the launch of direct Ethiopian Airlines flights between Addis Ababa and Hanoi. The ambassadors highlighted the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026 as a milestone that will further elevate the partnership.
Both Ambassador Tsegab and Mai Phan Dung reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced collaboration in multilateral forums and platforms, Ethiopian Permanent Mission in Geneva told Fana Media Corporation.
The discussions concluded with mutual expressions of confidence that Ethiopia and Viet Nam will continue to deepen cooperation, both bilaterally and within the multilateral trading system, fostering South–South solidarity and shared prosperity.