Foreign Missions in Addis Ababa Join Ethiopia in Welcoming 2019 with Wishes of Peace, Prosperity and Hope

Addis Ababa, September 11, 2026 (FMC) — Foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations based in Addis Ababa have joined Ethiopians in welcoming 2019 E.C., extending messages of peace, prosperity, happiness and hope while taking part in celebrations that bring Ethiopia’s New Year traditions into the diplomatic community.

The New Year has provided missions and international institutions with an opportunity to convey goodwill to the Ethiopian people while highlighting the cultural and human connections that complement relations between Ethiopia and the wider international community.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China wished Ethiopians peace, hope and prosperity, while Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sun Mingxi expressed hope that the longstanding friendship between China and Ethiopia will continue to deepen and endure for generations.

The German Embassy, the U.S. Embassy and the British Embassy also conveyed New Year greetings to Ethiopians. The U.S. Embassy extended wishes for a joyful Enkutatash, with Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga separately sharing a New Year message.

The Embassy of New Zealand wished Ethiopians around the world a peaceful and prosperous year ahead, while Pakistan extended wishes for peace, happiness, prosperity and success in the New Year.

Several missions marked the occasion by bringing Ethiopian New Year traditions into their own diplomatic spaces.

The Embassy of Ireland hosted an Abebayehosh ceremony, acknowledging the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and the young performers who helped bring the spirit of the New Year to the embassy.

The Embassy of Poland welcomed a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied by Abebayehosh performers. Head of Mission Ilona Korchut used the occasion to extend New Year wishes to colleagues and partners in Ethiopian government institutions.

At Villa Italia, the Embassy of Italy hosted New Year blessings in collaboration with Ethiopian institutions and cultural performers. The embassy described Enkutatash as a season of renewal and hope, wishing the Government and people of Ethiopia peace and prosperity in the year ahead.

The Embassies of Iran Botswana also hosted an Enkutatash celebration, highlighting Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, traditions and hospitality while linking the occasion to friendship and cultural exchange between the respective countries.

At the residence of Seychelles Ambassador Conrad Mederic, representatives of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Youth and Sports joined a cultural celebration featuring traditional performances and expressions of New Year goodwill.

The Embassy of Canada marked the occasion with a cultural performance attended by representatives of Ethiopia’s foreign affairs and culture institutions and traditional performers. The celebration comes as Canada and Ethiopia commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, with six decades of cooperation spanning education, health, development, peacebuilding, trade and people-to-people ties.

Canadian Ambassador Nicolas Simard also highlighted the Adey Abeba flower as a symbol of hope, renewal and new beginnings, extending wishes for peace, good health and prosperity.

The Embassy of Belgium likewise used the New Year to highlight its longstanding relationship with Ethiopia. As the two countries mark 120 years of diplomatic relations, the embassy expressed its commitment to strengthening their friendship and partnership, with emphasis on dialogue, mutual understanding and peace.

The Embassy of Mexico in Ethiopia extended wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year, expressing hopes for peace, unity and shared celebration, while the Embassy of Denmark also joined the diplomatic community in conveying New Year greetings.

The Embassy of Israel to Ethiopia and the African Union marked the coincidence that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Enkutatash fall on the same day this year. It extended greetings to Jewish and Ethiopian communities and expressed hopes that the shared occasion would reinforce aspirations for peace, prosperity and stronger ties between Israel and Ethiopia.

The European Union Delegation in Addis Ababa also conveyed New Year wishes, with EU Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger expressing hopes for a peaceful, prosperous and joyful 2019 and reaffirming the importance of the EU-Ethiopia partnership.

Beyond the diplomatic missions, international and regional organizations based in Addis Ababa also joined the New Year greetings.

The World Health Organization Ethiopia office wished Ethiopians a year marked by health, peace, happiness and prosperity, while the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) extended its greetings to the Government and people of Ethiopia, expressing hopes for renewed hope, lasting peace, shared prosperity and greater unity in Ethiopia and across the IGAD region.

Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya also conveyed warm New Year greetings to Ethiopia, reflecting on the cultural significance of the season and extending appreciation and goodwill to the Government and people of the country.

International media organization CGTN Africa likewise marked the occasion with a New Year message, extending wishes for a joyful, peaceful and prosperous 2019 to Ethiopia and Ethiopians.

Taken together, the messages and celebrations demonstrate the breadth of goodwill surrounding Ethiopia’s New Year, with diplomatic missions and international institutions joining the country’s celebrations while bringing their own expressions of friendship and partnership.

From Abebayehosh ceremonies and traditional performances to messages of peace, prosperity and renewal, Enkutatash has offered a moment of shared celebration within Addis Ababa’s international community.

As Ethiopia begins 2019, the greetings converge around aspirations that extend beyond national boundaries: peace, prosperity, renewal, friendship and a hopeful year ahead.