The second edition of the Hili Regional Dialogue — 'Hili Africa Dialogue' — concluded in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The event was organised by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, in cooperation with the Institute for Foreign Affairs — Ethiopia, under the theme 'UAE-Africa Dialogue: Towards a Shared Future', with the participation of officials, diplomats, experts, researchers, and representatives of governmental, academic, and research institutions from the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and a number of African countries.
The dialogue, held over two days in Addis Ababa, marked a new milestone in the Hili Regional Dialogue series — following its first edition in Latin America — and opened a broader strategic space to examine the future of the UAE-Africa partnership at a time of rapid transformation in the global economy, supply chains, food and energy security, technology, critical minerals, and patterns of investment and development.
Participants affirmed that the importance of the dialogue extends beyond discussing cooperation opportunities to formulating a shared understanding of how to translate those opportunities into sustainable institutional partnerships, grounded in mutual respect, common interests, and the inclusion of African perspectives in defining cooperation priorities and pathways.
The dialogue's proceedings opened with a 'Hili Youth Dialogue' session, which provided a platform for young voices and researchers to discuss UAE-Africa relations, shared priorities, and opportunities to convert research ideas into practical initiatives. The session highlighted a joint study published by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and the Institute for Foreign Affairs — Ethiopia, examining ways to strengthen UAE-Africa relations and opportunities for their development across various fields.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by Jafar Bedru, Executive Director of the Institute for Foreign Affairs — Ethiopia; Nickolay Mladenov, Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy; and Dr Ebtesam Al Ketbi, Deputy Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
The keynote address was delivered by Ambassador Hadera Berhe, Minister of State for Political and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Jafar Bedru affirmed that the United Arab Emirates has today become the most prominent Gulf investor on the African continent in the sectors of ports, logistics, energy, food security, and critical minerals, noting that this presence rests on a solid foundation of mutual trust. He called at the same time for a transition from announcements and immediate agreements to long-term arrangements capable of withstanding changing circumstances and international shifts.
For his part, Nickolay Mladenov affirmed that Africa is not, for the United Arab Emirates, a distant region or merely a source of resources, but a strategic partner and a source of ideas, growth, talent, and diplomatic vision.
Dr Ebtesam Al Ketbi stated that connectivity has become a strategic advantage in an increasingly fragmented world, one that is no longer measured by geography alone but by the capacity to build resilience and create long-term value. She affirmed that the UAE-Africa partnership is undergoing a transition from traditional economic interaction to long-term cooperation in advanced sectors encompassing logistics, infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, finance, agriculture, and technology.
The first day's proceedings witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Institute for Foreign Affairs — Ethiopia, reflecting both sides' commitment to strengthening institutional and research cooperation.