Ethiopian Ambassador to South Korea Dessie Dalkie Dukamo has called for strong cooperation with Seoul, stating that its aid and investment in key initiatives will bolster Ethiopia's drive for climate-resilient development and long-term growth benefiting local communities. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday, he highlighted Korea's technological prowess and industrial experience as key supports for Ethiopia's sustainable efforts.
Ethiopian Ambassador to South Korea Dessie Dalkie Dukamo told Yonhap News Agency that development cooperation should align closely with Ethiopia's green development and agricultural strategies, emphasizing capacity-building and technology transfer, especially in forest management and climate-smart agriculture.
"If we combine Korea's experience in reforestation and digital innovation ... we can build a model of climate-resilient rural development that benefits both people and the planet," he said. Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019, has planted 39.6 billion trees by the end of 2024 and created more than 767,000 jobs, according to a related U.N. webpage.
Dukamo expressed gratitude that Ethiopia remains a priority country for Korean official development assistance and encouraged responsible Korean private investment in agro-processing and green technologies. He also positioned South Korea as a key partner in national modernization efforts, such as the Bishoftu International Airport project in Addis Ababa, where Korea's expertise in urban development and infrastructure could contribute.
Addressing supply chain disruptions from Middle East tensions, he advocated for diversified sources and open, predictable trade routes. Dukamo described bilateral ties as a "living legacy" from Ethiopia's Korean War participation -- the only African nation to send ground troops -- and called for educational exchanges to renew the "blood alliance" for younger generations.
