Addis Ababa, June 22, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie has held talks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, who is in Addis Ababa this week on a working visit.
According to the Office of the President, the two sides discussed Ethiopia’s continued support for refugees despite shrinking humanitarian resources, underscoring the importance of such solidarity within a challenging multilateral environment.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih described the discussions with President Taye Atske-Selassie as fruitful, noting that they provided an opportunity to express appreciation for Ethiopia’s longstanding role in hosting a large refugee population.
He particularly highlighted Ethiopia’s inclusion roadmap, known as “Makatet,” which seeks to integrate refugees into national systems and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance. He affirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the Ethiopian government in implementing the roadmap, while also calling on the international community to share responsibility in supporting refugee protection efforts.
Barham Salih also congratulated Ethiopia on the successful conclusion of its seventh general election.
Recent government data indicates that Ethiopia is currently hosting more than 1.2 million refugees from different countries.