**Ethiopian Ambassador Strengthens Bilateral Ties with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Focuses on Trade, Tourism, and Climate Initiatives**
Ethiopian Plenipotentiary Ambassador and Special Envoy Dr. Jemal Bakker met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor’s Office, where they discussed expanding cooperation in key sectors including trade, tourism, culture, and climate change. Both leaders highlighted the importance of fostering robust people-to-people connections through the exchange of delegations in areas such as trade, investment, health, education, and forest development.
During the meeting, Dr. Jemal conveyed heartfelt condolences for the lives lost in the recent floods in Pakistan, emphasizing Ethiopia’s solidarity with Pakistan—a country with minimal contribution to climate change yet significant vulnerability to its impacts. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s support in addressing shared environmental challenges.
The Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad also briefed Governor Kundi on its ongoing initiatives to raise environmental awareness. Ambassador Dr. Jemal expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s decision to participate in Ethiopia’s “Green Footprint” movement, an environmental campaign inspired by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Looking to strengthen economic ties, the Ambassador invited the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa business community to actively engage in the upcoming 5th Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference and East African Countries Single Country Exhibition, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa. Governor Kundi assured full provincial support for the business community’s participation in the event.
In addition, the governor pledged to launch the “Green Footprint” movement within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promote environmental consciousness at the provincial level. He also underscored the region’s strategic significance as a gateway to Asia and its vast potential for religious tourism, particularly citing the global importance of the Gandhara civilization.
The meeting marks a notable step in bolstering Ethiopia-Pakistan relations, with both sides committing to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors while championing environmental stewardship and cultural exchange.
