Simone Knapp

Young voices took center stage at YZ Museum! We celebrated the winners and participants of the essay competition "What Maria Theresia Means to You: Personally or in Relation to Ethiopia." This theme sparked some truly fresh and powerful perspectives. We were honored to welcome Ambassador Peter Huber, who joined us in awarding certificates and prizes to the remarkable winners and participants, alongside Ambassador @simoneknapp and distinguished delegates from the AustrianEmbassy.🇦🇹🇪🇹 Thank you all! #YZmuseum #ethiopia #Austria #history #education

Partnership b/n #Ethiopia & #EU yields tanginle results in economic growth, peace & security. H.E. P.M. Dr. @AbiyAhmedAli held productive talks with #EU Commissioner for Inter/nal Partnerships, @JozefSikela focusing on deepening long-term strategic cooperation. @EUAmbEthiopia

A great step toward stronger partnerships, increased trade, and new investment opportunities. #EUEthiopia #BusinessForum #Investment #Partnership #GlobalGateway #InvestInEthiopia

EU–Ethiopia Business Forum kicked off today, in the presence of Comm. Jozef Síkela; Austrian FM, Beate Meinl-Reisinger; SG of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Wamkele Mene & SM of Finance of 🇪🇹, H.E. Semereta Sewasew & other high-level leaders from🇪🇺,🇪🇹& Private Sectors.

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, this afternoon received H.E. @BMeinl , Federal Minister for European & International Affairs of #Austria, at the AU Headquarters. During the meeting, the Chairperson @ymahmoudali noted that Austria is assuming an increasingly active global role & welcomed its commitment to a strengthened & strategic partnership with Africa. For her part, Minister Meinl-Reisinger hailed the longstanding relationship between Austria & the AU & reaffirmed her country’s commitment to further strengthening this partnership. In light of a shifting global context, they underscored the need for strengthening of the multilateral system & the rules-based international order. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding covering key areas of cooperation, including peace & security, governance, human rights, economic development, & multilateral cooperation. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

Powering Ethiopia ⚡ Bringing electricity to 4M people, cutting outages by 50%, and building a stronger, smarter grid through the EU’s Global Gateway.

At the 2026 International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum being held in Vienna, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos highlighted Africa’s unique opportunity to leapfrog to low-carbon industrial growth by harnessing its vast renewable energy potential and value addition on critical minerals. Gedion underscored the urgency of addressing systemic barriers including limited energy access, infrastructure gaps and market access while calling for scaled-up concessional finance, particularly for LDCs and LLDCs. He also shared Ethiopia’s bold commitment to climate resilient development through massive investments in renewables delivering around 95% clean energy and green industrialization, including eco-friendly industrial parks. The Minister also met with his counterparts from Austria and South Sudan on the margins of the Forum. In the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, discussions focused on further elevating strong ties through trade and investment, tourism and renewables. During the meeting with the Foreign Minister of South Sudan, Monday Semaya Kumba, he exchanged views on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest.

Homage to Ambassador Konjit and diplomacy, I could not agree more: amaniafrica-et.org/ambassador-kon…

FM H.E. Dr. Gedion Timothewos attended the Vienna Energy and Climate Forum in Vienna, highlighting Africa’s renewable potential, Ethiopia’s 95% clean energy, and holding talks with Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Monday Semaya Kumba. Full story: facebook.com/share/1Df9fVCb…

@yzmuseum @simoneknapp Come and visit the exhibition on Maria Theresia and her famous thaler @yzmuseum connecting #Austria and #Ethiopia

By popular demand🎈 YZ's Exhibition "Maria Theresia: The Face of the Austrian Empress and the Grace of Ethiopian Women" has been extended until June 7th, 2026. Come see it if you haven't already, and if you have, come again and bring your friends! -YZ #YZmuseum #Ethiopia #history #education #Austria

Condolence Message by H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Tribute to Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis. For decades, she served her country and the OAU/African Union with exceptional distinction, carrying her responsibilities and noble mission with a steadiness, vision, and clarity that earned the respect of those who worked with her across the continent and beyond. Amb. Konjit opened space and expanded what was possible for women in diplomacy. Many of us walk paths today that were made more accessible because she walked them first, leaving the way paved and the door open for those who followed. While we mourn her passing, we also take pride in the legacy she leaves behind, in the institutions she contributed to building and strengthening, in her steadfast support for the work of the OAU/African Union, and in the many lives she impacted along the way. In these sad circumstances, I join the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, in extending my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and colleagues, as well as to the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. May her soul rest in peace. She will be tremendously missed. H.E Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi Deputy Chairperson @DCP_Haddadi African Union Commission Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

@MFAEthiopia Saddened by the loss of Ambassador Konjit. May she rest in peace! We will keep her in our hearts 💔

Veteran diplomat Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis, who had been receiving medical treatment, has passed away. Ambassador Konjit joined the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a young age in the 1950s and went on to build a long and distinguished career spanning several decades. Throughout her service, she assumed major responsibilities across a wide range of diplomatic roles, making significant contributions to Ethiopia’s foreign service. Widely recognized as Ethiopia’s second female Ambassador, following Yodit Imru, Ambassador Konjit served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions in Ottawa, Cairo, Tel Aviv, and Vienna during her career. In addition to her bilateral assignments, she represented Ethiopia in key multilateral institutions. Notably, she served as Permanent Representative to the African Union and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). From June 2017 to September 2018, Ambassador Konjit also served as a Special Advisor in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led South Sudan peace process, where she contributed her extensive diplomatic experience to advancing regional peace efforts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep sorrow at the passing of Ambassador Konjit and extends its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

Today, Amb. Charles Karamba received H.E. Amb. @simoneknapp of @AustriainET 🇷🇼🤝🇦🇹 Following the recent visit of Hon. Minister @onduhungirehe to Vienna, discussions centered on growing Rwanda–Austria partnership, reaffirming shared priorities and continued cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral level. @RwandaMFA

Chairperson of the AU Commission Appoints President Jakaya Kikwete as the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has the honour to announce the appointment of H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of #Tanzania, as High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. In this capacity, H.E. President @jmkikwete will support the African Union’s efforts to address the complex political, peace and security dynamics across the region. His mandate will include, inter alia, advancing preventive diplomacy, facilitating inclusive political dialogue, promoting confidence-building among stakeholders, and strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms aimed at fostering sustainable peace and stability. The High Representative will work in close coordination with relevant regional and international partners, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC), the League of Arab States, the United Nations, and other partners, with a view to ensuring coherence, complementarity and effectiveness in collective efforts to promote peace, stability and security. This coordinated engagement is particularly critical considering the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea for international trade and the broader stability of the African continent. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali expresses his full confidence that the experience, leadership and wisdom of H.E. President Kikwete will make a significant contribution to supporting countries in the region, as well as relevant regional and international mechanisms, in addressing prevailing challenges and advancing durable peace, stability and prosperity. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas…

2/2 He merges Ethiopian dance and grooves with electronic beats, as exemplified by Log Drum Song: youtube.com/watch?v=cvrLsb… Read more about his new album here: fm4.orf.at/stories/305291…

1/2 Kimyan Law, the Congolese-Austrian musician, who played two shows in Addis Ababa last November in collaboration with the Austrian Embassy, has just released his excellent fourth album, Coloria.

EU Delegation to 🇪🇹 & diplomatic mission of the EUMS extend heartfelt condolences to all affected by the devastating landslides in Gamo Zone. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones & impacted by this tragedy. We stand in solidarity with 🇪🇹 in this difficult time.

🇪🇹 Invest in Ethiopia – Investment Forum 2026 Ethiopia will host the “Invest in Ethiopia” Investment Forum from 26–27 March 2026, bringing together over 800 participants including international business leaders, importers and exporters, development partners, investors, and policymakers from around the world. The forum will showcase Ethiopia’s dynamic and profitable investment opportunities while creating a unique platform for world-renowned entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to connect, exchange ideas, and build strong partnerships. Join us in exploring Ethiopia’s growing economic potential and opportunities for sustainable investment, #InvestInEthiopia #InvestmentForum2026 #Economicdiplomacy @MFAEthiopia @UgandaMFA @ugandainvest @IIE_HLBF2025 @mtic_uganda