Ethiopia Advocates for Global Reform at BRICS Summit as PM Abiy Calls for Equitable World Order
Rio de Janeiro, July 2025
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered a powerful address at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro today, emphasizing the urgent need to rebuild trust in international institutions and reform global governance systems to better reflect developing nations’ priorities.
Key Points from PM Abiy’s Address:
1. Institutional Reform Imperative
The Prime Minister called for comprehensive restructuring of international financial institutions and global norms, stating current systems “fail to equitably represent emerging economies.” His remarks specifically highlighted the need for expanded African participation in critical decision-making forums.
2. BRICS as Transformative Force
“From bold idea to dynamic reality, BRICS now stands as the world’s most consequential platform for South-South cooperation,” Abiy declared. He noted Ethiopia’s 2023 accession aligned with its vision for a “multipolar world order anchored in justice.”
3. Peace Through Economic Justice
Connecting security to development, Abiy argued that “collective security flourishes only when shared prosperity becomes tangible.” He positioned Ethiopia as a bridge between African priorities and BRICS’ expanding agenda.
Ethiopia’s Strategic BRICS Engagement
Since joining the bloc, Ethiopia has:
– Championed African Union-BRICS collaboration on infrastructure financing
– Advocated for local currency trade mechanisms to reduce dollar dependency
– Positioned Addis Ababa as a hub for Global South diplomatic initiatives
Contextual Significance
The Prime Minister’s focus on institutional reform comes as:
– BRICS expands its membership to include major emerging economies
– African nations push for UN Security Council restructuring
– Ethiopia seeks alternative financing amid global economic shifts
Next Steps
Ethiopian officials confirmed bilateral meetings with:
– China to finalize renewable energy partnerships
– Brazil on agricultural technology transfer
– UAE regarding port infrastructure investments
