AMN PLUS-September 1, 2026
Addis Ababa is emerging as a strategic gateway linking Southeast Asia and Africa, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said.
He stated that Thailand is keen to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Ethiopia and deepen its engagement with the African continent.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow paid an official working visit to Ethiopia.
He said the visit was aimed at further consolidating the longstanding bilateral relations between Thailand and Ethiopia and enhancing Thailand’s engagement with the African Union, headquartered in Addis Ababa.
Highlighting the longstanding historical ties between Ethiopia and Thailand, the minister reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations and broadening cooperation across various areas of mutual interest.
He particularly underscored Thailand’s readiness to share its development experience with Ethiopia in areas such as industrial development and value addition in agricultural products.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted the growing strategic significance of Addis Ababa in facilitating relations between Southeast Asia and Africa. In this context, he announced that Thailand has decided to open an embassy in Addis Ababa.
He said the decision demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic presence in Africa and enhancing Addis Ababa’s role as a focal point for Thailand’s engagement with the continent.
He further noted that Addis Ababa serves as an important center for engagement between ASEAN and Africa. Ethiopia and Thailand, he said, can play a significant role in advancing cooperation between the African Union and ASEAN, according to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).
The minister also called for closer cooperation between Thailand and African countries to uphold a rules-based international order, promote open and free trade, and reinforce the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
He noted that Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO would further facilitate the country’s engagement with the international trading system, global trade rules, and the broader global economy.
By Leta Teresa
