FULL SPEECH: Ethiopian PM Ahmed Unveils Bold Vision at African Union Summit in Addis Ababa | AC1B

Restoring dignity and strengthening community life. South Africa's urban landscape expand rapidly. We must be intentional. The African city of the future is walkable, green, youth centered and grounded in dignity and belonging. In rural areas, modernization is enhancing livelihoods, connecting communities to markets. This integrated approach links development with climate stewardship. One expression of this is the green legacy initiative. We have planted more than 48 billion trees, restoring ecosystems and building a living legacy for future generations. Yet the global development pathway has come at immense environmental costs borne by communities far beyond those responsible. Therefore, climate action must be anchored in justice and equity, aligning finance, technology, and partnership to enable Africa to thrive. In this split, we hosted the second Africa climate summit and we are preparing to host COP 32, ensuring Africa speaks with one voice and present the solutions to the globe. This same principle of integration guides our technological transformation. Under digital Ethiopia 2030, we're building digital public infrastructure that place citizens at the center of service delivery. By linking FIDA, our national digital ID with payment systems and the mass of data exchange, we enable success. We enable secure access to services, seamless transactions and responsible data sharing, foster interest and driving our economy forward. In 2020, Ethiopia established Africa's first artificial intelligence institute. Building on this foundation, we are preparing to launch an AI university anchored in the Ethiopian philosophy of Madame synergy through purposeful collaboration. This institution will unite human values with machine intelligence, local context with global relevance and scientific rigor with applied impact. It will ensure technology drives growth and position Africa as a global contributor in the age of intelligence. Ethiopia is also continuing to invest in connectivity. Through Ethiopian airlines, we connect people, link markets, and move goods. To sustain this momentum, we are building Africa's largest airport, a next generation gateway that will anchor our continent in global value chain. Beyond aviation, it telecom is expanding across Africa, bridging the digital divide and linking our continent's future through strategic partnerships. Yet connectivity must be complete. For a nation like Ethiopia with over 130 million people, sustainable growth requires diversified access. Ensuring reliable access to the sea through peaceful cooperation is fundamental to our economic future and to long-term stability and prosperity in the Horn of Africa. Excellencies, we meet at a moment of profound global transition. In this era of uncertainty, Africa's strengths will lie in a union that is confident and united. As we approach the African Union silver jubilee, the moment marks a transition from foundational unity to functional sovereignty. Sovereignty means owning our narratives. Through initiative like Pulse of Africa, we amplify African voices because development is never complete without our story. Africa can contribute stability, scale, and solutions to a changing world. But we must do more than respond to crisis. We must shape agendas, turning vision into action and leading with purpose. Every river we manage, every city we design, and every digital platform we deploy must generate resilient opportunity and dignity. By 2063, Africa will be defined by what we secure, what we sustain, and what we share. Ladies and gentlemen, this is our moment and this is our responsibility. To conclude, I extend my appreciation to our outgoing chairperson, President Jao Lorenzo, for his leadership and service to our union. I also warmly congratulate our new incoming chairperson and wish him success in guiding Africa forward. God bless Ethiopia. God bless Africa. I thank you.