Addis Ababa — Ethiopia has been elected President of the Bureau of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Committee on Social Policy, Poverty and Gender for the 2025–2027 term, securing a key leadership role within one of the continent’s most influential social development bodies.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MFA Ethiopia), the Committee plays a central role in guiding UNECA’s efforts toward equitable and inclusive human and social development across Africa. Its mandate spans critical areas including gender equality, employment, social protection, youth and population development, and urbanization. The Committee also monitors major regional trends and follows up on outcomes of key global and continental conferences.
Ethiopia will lead the Committee in partnership with Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Eswatini, and Mauritania, which will serve in supporting bureau roles.
This is not Ethiopia’s first senior position within the Committee; the country previously served as Second Vice President in 1996. MFA Ethiopia noted that this election reflects Ethiopia’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism and highlights the important role of the United Nations in fostering cooperation on social development across member states.
Source: MFA Ethiopia
