President Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia has welcomed Her Royal Highness, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, The Duchess of Edinburgh.
During their meeting, President Taye took the opportunity to update the Duchess on various national and regional matters that are currently on the agenda.
He also expressed appreciation on behalf of the Ethiopian government for the support received from the British government during the recent conference in Geneva aimed at boosting humanitarian aid for Ethiopia.
The President highlighted his recent discussions with the new British Minister for Africa at the 79th UN General Assembly, where they explored ways to enhance the relationship between Ethiopia and the UK.
He pointed out that Ethiopia is currently home to over a million refugees from different nations, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
The Duchess of Edinburgh acknowledged the shifting focus of the international community towards crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, which has unfortunately resulted in a decrease in humanitarian assistance to other regions. She assured President Taye that the UK would continue to contribute to humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia and other areas in need.
Additionally, they touched on ongoing initiatives in Ethiopia aimed at improving maternal health, preventing blindness, and tackling sexual violence in conflict situations.
The Duchess also conveyed a congratulatory message from King Charles III to President Taye on his recent appointment.