Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow has announced Thailand’s plan to reopen the Royal Thai Embassy in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in the near future to strengthen bilateral mechanisms and further advance Thailand-Ethiopia relations through closer partnership and concrete cooperation.

The Deputy Prime Minister on 28 August 2026 paid a courtesy call on Mr. Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa, during his official visit to Ethiopia, marking his first visit to Africa since assuming office. On the same day, he also held talks with Mr. Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak and the President of Ethiopia reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Thailand-Ethiopia bilateral relations and cooperation. Thailand also underscored its commitment to advancing the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI) to deepen relations with Ethiopia, an important partner of Thailand in the Global South. 

Both sides agreed that high-level exchanges, economic cooperation, development cooperation, and global strategic cooperation – the four pillars of the TAI – would serve as key drivers of the partnership between the two countries. They recognized the potential to expand cooperation in trade, investment, medical and wellness tourism, and development cooperation. 

Thailand expressed its readiness to promote Thai private-sector investment in Ethiopia, including efforts to add value to agricultural products through technology, innovation, and processing know how. Thailand stands ready to share development experience and expertise with a view to linking development cooperation with sustainable economic opportunities.

During his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak expressed his commitment to advancing the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) to further deepen relations with Ethiopia and strengthen cooperation with the African Union (AU). Thailand also recognized Africa’s growing role and dynamism in the international arena and viewed Africa as an important partner in the Global South.

Both sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, which will serve as an important mechanism for continuing policy dialogue and the exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed Thailand’s readiness to support Ethiopia in adding value to its products and raw materials through the application of Thailand’s innovation and technology, and agro-processing know how. Thailand also highlighted the potential to link development cooperation with private-sector engagement in order to generate tangible benefits for the people and create economic opportunities conducive to sustainable development.