National Dialogue Forum Preparations Enter Final Stage as Commission Confirms Readiness
 
July 6, 2026
 
The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has announced that preparations for the National Dialogue plenary are well underway, with activities being carried out in line with the national importance of the event.
 
The update was provided during a press briefing that focused on preparations for the plenary, participant arrangements, and other related matters.
 
Speaking at the briefing, Chief Commissioner Professor Mesfin Araya said approximately 4,000 participants from woredas, regional states, federal city administrations, and the Ethiopian diaspora are expected to travel to Addis Ababa.
 
He explained that the Commission has been working closely with relevant institutions to ensure participants receive the necessary transport, accommodation, meals, security, and health services. Arrangements have also been made to provide places of worship and dining facilities that take participants’ cultural and social backgrounds into account.
 
Professor Mesfin noted that the Commission has received reports indicating that some participants have encountered difficulties obtaining leave from their workplaces. Addressing these issues, stressing that every institution has a responsibility to contribute to the success of the National Dialogue, he called on employers and other concerned bodies to facilitate the participation of those selected to attend the forum.
 
He further emphasized that the National Dialogue Plenary is the first platform in Ethiopia’s history where citizens from across the country will deliberate on equal terms. In light of this, he encouraged participants to take an active role in the discussions and to arrive in Addis Ababa beginning on July 8 to complete the necessary preparations before the dialogue officially opens.
 
Commissioner Melaku Woldemariam said the National Dialogue is a process that belongs to all Ethiopians and requires broad public ownership. He underscored the important role of the media in supporting the process, noting that the success of the dialogue depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders rather than on any single institution.
 
He also clarified that no decisions have been made in advance and that conclusions will emerge only after participants have thoroughly discussed the agenda items during the plenary. According to the Commissioner, the discussions are expected to be open, substantive, and more extensive than those held during the agenda collection phase.
 
Commissioner Melaku added that the Commission will exercise the legal powers entrusted to it to promote the implementation of the recommendations that emerge from the dialogue process.
 
The briefing concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which the commissioners responded to inquiries from members of the media and provided further clarification on the plenary and its preparations.