Ethiopia and Pakistan Think Tanks Sign MoU to Strengthen Policy and Research Cooperation
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The premier think tanks of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at institutionalizing intellectual and policy cooperation to promote innovation and growth in both countries.
The MoU was signed virtually by H.E. Jafar Bedru Geletu, Executive Director of the Institution of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Ethiopia, and H.E. Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).
The signing ceremony was witnessed at ISSI in Islamabad by H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba, Ambassador-designate of Ethiopia to Pakistan, while Pakistan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Atif Sharif Mian, attended the event from the IFA headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will establish a structured framework for cooperation in areas including diplomatic training, professional development, research and policy analysis. The collaboration will be pursued through exchanges of delegations, joint conferences, co-publications, and collaborative research initiatives.
Congratulating both sides on what he described as a milestone in bilateral relations, the Executive Director of IFA said Ethiopia and Pakistan have shared a long-standing relationship rooted in mutual respect, South-South solidarity, and a common vision for global stability and prosperity. He noted that by combining IFA’s expertise on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea with ISSI’s regional research strengths, the partnership would help align perspectives on maritime security, trade routes, regional stability, and counter-terrorism, while producing practical policy recommendations.
Speaking on the occasion, ISSI Chairman Ambassador Khalid Mahmood described Ethiopia as a gateway to Africa and underscored the importance of building strong academic and research linkages. He emphasized that enhanced cooperation between the two think tanks would facilitate joint research, delegation exchanges, and sustained policy dialogue for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Ambassador-designate of Ethiopia to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba, highlighted the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and called upon both institutions to actively collaborate and fully utilize each other’s strengths. He stressed the need to further reinforce political and economic cooperation as key pillars of the relationship.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Atif Sharif Mian, also noted the growing momentum in Pakistan-Ethiopia relations. He cited recent developments including the opening of the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad, the commencement of Ethiopian Airlines operations in Karachi, increased exchanges of delegations across sectors, and the successful Pakistan Single Country Exhibition held in Addis Ababa in October 2025.
