Ethiopia Expects 4,000 Delegates as National Dialogue Conference Preparations Advance

July 7, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Officials overseeing Ethiopia's National Dialogue said preparations for the long-awaited national conference are progressing, with around 4,000 delegates from across the country and abroad expected to gather in Addis Ababa.

At a press briefing on Monday, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission said logistical arrangements are being coordinated with relevant institutions to provide participants with transportation, accommodation, meals, security and healthcare services ahead of the conference.

Chief Commissioner Mesfin Araya said delegates will travel from woredas, regional states, federal city administrations and overseas to attend the gathering. He added that accommodation, prayer facilities and catering services have been arranged to take account of participants' social backgrounds and cultural considerations.

The commission also disclosed that it had received reports indicating that some delegates in certain areas had encountered difficulties obtaining leave from work to attend the conference. Mesfin urged all stakeholders to support the process by facilitating the participation of delegates, saying every institution has a responsibility to contribute to the success of the national dialogue.

He described the conference as a significant moment in Ethiopia's history, saying it is intended to provide an equal platform for Ethiopians to participate in discussions on nationally agreed agenda items. Delegates have been asked to begin arriving in Addis Ababa from Hamle 1 in the Ethiopian calendar to prepare for the event.

Commissioner Melaku Woldemariam said the dialogue process belongs to all Ethiopians and called on the media to play a constructive role in supporting its success.

He also stressed that no decisions would be taken before participants complete deliberations and reach their conclusions on the agreed agenda. According to the commissioner, discussions are expected to be more open and in-depth than the earlier agenda-setting process.

The commission said it will exercise the powers granted under its legal mandate to facilitate the implementation of recommendations emerging from the dialogue. Journalists attending the briefing also raised questions, which commissioners addressed during the session.

Source: FSX Business News