Addis Ababa, August 22, 2026 (FMC) — The FDRE President Taye Atske-Selassie has described Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference as a historic process capable of strengthening national cohesion, saying the consultations have demonstrated the power of dialogue, mutual listening and reasoned engagement in addressing the country’s national challenges.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa, President Taye commended the thousands of participants representing Ethiopia’s political, social, ethnic and regional diversity who engaged in extensive deliberations on issues of national importance.
He said the dialogue was conducted in a spirit of reason, transparency, mutual respect and Ethiopian civility, creating an important platform for participants to hear diverse perspectives and identify areas of common understanding.
The President described the conference as a unique demonstration of Ethiopia’s diversity, emphasizing that the country’s strength lies in its ability to bring together different communities and perspectives through peaceful dialogue.
President Taye also commended the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission for bringing the process to a successful conclusion and expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for helping transform national dialogue, an established Ethiopian tradition, into a structured nationwide process.
“Making consultation a cornerstone of nation-building requires the courage and character to confront the truth head-on. I extend my appreciation to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for striving toward this truth,” he said.
President Taye noted that national dialogue has deep roots in Ethiopia’s social and cultural traditions, where communities have historically relied on discussion, elders’ mediation and consensus-building to resolve disputes.
The current process sought to provide these traditions with a broader institutional framework, establishing a national platform to address longstanding political, social and governance-related questions.
Nearly 4,000 participants from diverse backgrounds took part in deliberations on eight key national agendas over the course of the process. The conference followed extensive grassroots consultations and brought diverse perspectives together within a common national forum.
According to President Taye, the significance of the process extends beyond the conclusion of the conference. He said it has helped foster a culture of addressing national questions through calm discussion, with the potential to contribute to lasting solutions.
He emphasized that the value of the dialogue lies not only in the recommendations it has produced, but also in the culture of listening, tolerance and consensus it seeks to institutionalize.
President Taye said the National Dialogue should therefore be viewed as a historic process capable of strengthening Ethiopia, while the culture of peaceful engagement emerging from it could provide a foundation for addressing future national challenges.
The conclusion of the conference now opens a new phase focused on translating its recommendations and areas of consensus into practical reforms and actions that can contribute to Ethiopia’s long-term peace, stability and national unity.