The Consulate

The diplomatic relation between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates went back to 1973, it hasn’t got its momentum until the former Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E Seyoum Mesfin, visited the United Arab Emirates on March 22-24, 2004. This is considered to be a milestone in the bilateral relation between the two countries.

Previously Ethiopia covered the United Arab Emirates from the Ethiopian Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  However, soon after the visit Ethiopian Foreign Minister Ethiopia decided to have a representation at a Consulate level and opened its first Consulate General office in May 2004. The consulate was opened primarily to handle Ethiopians issues who have been migrated to UAE for job related opportunities.

Now the overall estimated number of Ethiopians residing in UAE is around 160 thousands. 2/3 of these is assumed to live in and Dubai and Northern Emirates. Hence, the regular citizens’ related activities such as emigration related, vital events registration, diaspora assistance and pursuing cases related to the rights and privileges of Ethiopian citizens in the UAE, are large.

Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates have been enjoying cordial relations for decades. Since the beginning of 1990s the bilateral relation has been reinforced by frequent high level exchanges of visits. Especially with the coming of a new reformist leader H.E Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed the relation between our two countries have grown to its highest.

Both countries have many bilateral engagements in political, economic and social areas.  Due to the fact that the numbers of Ethiopians coming to UAE for securing job opportunities increasing from time to time, mostly for domestic workers, labor relation have become the major areas of cooperation between the two countries. In this regard, the labor agreement that is signed in 2018 ensures recruitment of Ethiopians in the UAE labor market and protects their rights in UAE.

The Consulate General office performs its duties with strong partners such as Ethiopian Community Association in Dubai and Northern Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, International Labor Organization (ILO) and the like. Especially Ethiopian Community Association exerts many efforts in protecting the rights and privileges of Ethiopian citizens, raising awareness and sensitization.

Presently, the Consulate General Office is comprised of 13 diplomats including the head of Mission and 5 local staffs. Since 2002 five Consul Generals (Mr. Gashaw Debebe July 2004- June2006, Mr. Abdulahi Yusuf July 2006 – June 2010,  Mr. Misganu Arega  July 2010 – August 2013, Mr. Yibeltal Aemero January 2014 – January 2018, Ambassador Jerussalem Amdemariam December 2017 – December 2021, Ambassador Aklilu Kebede April 2022 – Date) have served as Consul General.

The Consulate General Office is found in Al Qusais 2, Street 11, House # 30 is in operation since July 2018.