Upper House Speaker Hails Nations and Nationalities Day as Pillar of Unity in Reform-Era Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, December 7, 2025 (FMC) — Speaker of the House of Federation, Agegnehu Teshager, underscored that Ethiopia’s Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day has become a powerful platform for strengthening national unity and promoting mutual understanding among the country’s diverse communities.

A symposium themed “Democratic Consensus for National Unity” opened today in Hosena City, Central Ethiopia Region, ahead of the official 20th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day celebration scheduled for tomorrow.

Delivering the keynote address, Agegnehu said the annual event has, since its establishment, created an atmosphere where Ethiopia’s nations and nationalities freely showcase their cultural heritage, values and lived experiences.

“The celebration has enhanced public awareness and contributed significantly to portraying the positive image of regions across the country,” he said.

He added that following the national reform, the commemoration has grown in depth and impact, helping to cultivate unity, solidarity, and a stronger sense of brotherhood and sisterhood among Ethiopians.

Agegnehu also noted that this year’s celebration holds added significance, coming in the wake of the completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the launch of other major national development projects — a period, he said, in which Ethiopia is registering notable progress.

During the symposium, a paper on federalism will be presented for discussion, with participants expected to deliberate on future directions.