Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde has urged the international world to approach the pursuit of peace with a sense of honesty and courage, calling for greater recognition and empathy towards the suffering and plight of people around the globe.
In a stirring keynote address at the 3rd International Cooperation Forum in Basel, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde emphasized the critical importance of women’s participation in decision-making and peace processes.
The forum, held under the theme “What is Peace?”, provided a platform for global leaders to reflect on the state of peace worldwide and the role of multilateral institutions in fostering cooperation and conflict resolution.
“Working for peace entails some sense of honesty and courage to recognize and empathize with the suffering and plight of people,” President Sahle-Work told the assembled audience. “Political problems need political solutions.”
The Ethiopian leader underscored that true and sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of women in decision-making and peace processes. “Women are not just victims, but also part of the solution,” she said.
President Sahle-Work also emphasized the interconnectedness of the world, noting that our shared values, such as the sanctity of life, should be the foundation for collaborative efforts to address global challenges. She cautioned against becoming desensitized to the devastating loss of human lives.
“Differences should be solved through dialogue, and peace should be defined by what we have in the absence of it – devastation, suffering, destruction, and division,” the President stated.
“Inclusion is a key word in nations & without meaningful participation of women in decision making and peace processes, no sustainable peace can be achieved…they are victims but also part of the solution…Our interconnections are not just on trade & transports,”
Following her keynote address, President Sahle-Work held a bilateral meeting with her Swiss counterpart, HE Viola Amherd, to discuss areas of mutual interest and cooperation between the two nations.
She also met with representatives of the Ethiopian community in Switzerland, underscoring the importance of the diaspora’s engagement in the country’s development.
President Sahle-Work stressed that our interconnections are not just about trade and transportation, but “primarily about values.” She said.
The Ethiopian leader firmly advocated that “differences should be solved through dialogue” rather than violence.
Defining peace as the absence of “devastation, suffering, destruction, [and] divisions,” President Sahle-Work underscored that “peacebuilding is a non-stop endeavor” requiring constant vigilance and commitment from the international community.
The 3rd International Cooperation Forum provided a timely and important platform for global leaders to reflect on the pursuit of peace and the role of international cooperation in addressing complex, transnational issues.
President Sahle-Work’s impassioned call for courage, inclusion, and values-driven dialogue resonated with the audience, reinforcing Ethiopia’s commitment to being a leading voice for peace and stability on the African continent and beyond.
