Minister this morning (27 January 2018) met with the Secretary General of the United Nations on the margins of the ongoing 30th African Union Summit at the AU HQ.

The PM and the SG capitalized on ways of further boosting the peace and security of the Horn of African region, paying due attention to the security situation in South Sudan and Somalia. PM Hailemariam has reiterated Ethiopia's continued efforts in bringing about peace and stability to the region. This, as he has told the UNSG, is exemplified by peacekeeping operations such as the AMISOM. In this respect, the SG has commended Ethiopia's role in the maintenance of peace and stability in the Region through its various peace keeping missions under the flags of the AU and the UN.

Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers this afternoon (27 January 2018) addressed the 60th Extraordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on South Sudan, which is underway at Hilton Hotel. In his address to the meeting, Dr. Workneh reiterated the fact that the convening of the 60th IGAD Council of Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa "is a testimony and a serious indication of your commitment to seeking lasting solution to the prolonged war and senseless violence which has caused and still continues to inflict tragic disaster upon the people of South Sudan."