It is both an honor and a privilege to have received an invitation from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia to attend a state dinner commemorating World Press Freedom Day and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
On World Press Freedom Day (May 3), UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced in Addis Abeba that Prime Minister Dr. Abiy had received the prestigious 2019 UNESCO Félix Houphout-Boigny Prize. This distinguished prize recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion, search, and safeguarding of peace.
Dr. Abiy’s accolade particularly acknowledges his pivotal role in fostering a historic peace agreement between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Eritrea. His commitment to cultivating a culture of peace in the region and throughout the African continent, along with the reforms undertaken to fortify democracy and social cohesion in Ethiopia, stands as a testament to his dedication to global peace and diplomacy. The list of past recipients, including Nelson Mandela, Shimon Peres, Yasser Arafat, and Jimmy Carter, places Dr. Abiy among esteemed leaders who have left an indelible mark on the pursuit of peace.
