Bangladesh vows to elevate bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia, celebrates National Day

Addis Ababa, March 26, 2025 (FMC) – The Embassy of Bangladesh in Addis Ababa hosted a celebration marking the Anniversary of Independence and National Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The event was attended by representatives from the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Ministry, various ambassadors, officials from the African Union, and expatriate Bangladeshi communities.

In his opening address, Ambassador Sikder Bodiruzzaman reflected on Bangladesh’s emergence as an independent nation on this day in 1971, paying tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters who fought for the country’s sovereignty. He emphasized Bangladesh’s progress from being viewed as a “basket case” to being recognized as one of the developing world’s success stories.

Ambassador Sikder highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to elevate cooperation with Ethiopia in multifaceted sectors. He underscored the natural bond between the two nations, stating that both countries share similar aspirations and development challenges. He noted the positive development of air travel between Dhaka and Addis Ababa through Ethiopian Airlines, initiated in November 2024, which is expected to enhance tourism, connectivity, and business exchanges.

Encouraging collaboration, he mentioned that both nations are eager to work together to tackle global challenges such as climate change and terrorism. Ambassador Sikder expressed hope for a prosperous future and reiterated the potential benefits of Ethiopia leveraging Bangladesh’s growing market.

Ambassador Negus Kebede, the Director General of Middle East and Asia Pacific in Ethiopia, extended congratulations to Bangladesh on its National Day and acknowledged the ancient friendship that dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. He noted that Ethiopia was among the first African nations to recognize Bangladesh following its independence.

The ambassadors recognized that, since the opening of the Bangladeshi Embassy in Ethiopia in 2016, ties have strengthened, paving the way for enhanced economic and political collaboration. Ambassador Negus emphasized Ethiopia’s interest in establishing partnerships with Bangladesh in sectors such as textile manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, fisheries, and information technology.

The signing of a bilateral air service agreement has further solidified relations and enhanced people-to-people connectivity. As global challenges persist, both ambassadors reiterated their commitment to maintaining cooperation and coordination in international affairs, with a continued focus on peacekeeping initiatives and multilateral diplomacy.