Addis Ababa 19 October 2023 (ECA) - On the margins of the inauguration of the iconic Africa Hall, the Embassy of Portugal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) co-hosted a side event on 22 October in recognition of Portugal’s voluntary contribution to the restoration of Afework Tekle’s historic stained-glass mural – a monument to African history.

Organized under the leadership of Ambassador Luísa Fragoso, the event took place in a newly refurbished Africa Hall, with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Portuguese Republic, Nuno Sampaio, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the ECA, artists, architects, members of the diplomatic corps and the team of experts that restored the stained-glass mural.

“This contribution is representative of the significance that Portugal attaches to its relationship with the African continent and its institutions,” said Secretary of State Nuno Sampaio. “Hundreds of years of shared history link us together, and today our cultures and peoples are closer than ever,” he emphasized.

Deputy Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro expressed appreciation for the government’s contribution towards the restoration of the stained-glass mural by famed Ethiopian artist, Afework Tekle and said, “the restoration is not only a major effort to preserve African history and heritage but also a step towards building a better future for the continent, rooted in the strength of Africa’s diversity, dynamism, and creativity, as captured in the glasswork.”

Commissioned by the late Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie I and inaugurated in 1961, the 150-square meter stained-glass mural encapsulates the challenges, aspirations and future of Africa. Experts hail it as “an extraordinary study on the soul of the continent,” as it has over the years, grappled with claiming its destiny.

The event was held against the backdrop of an MoU signed between the ECA and the Government of Portugal in October 2023, which stipulated areas of collaboration, such as supporting the development of the blue economy and strengthening climate action in line with the Moroni Declaration for Ocean and Climate Action in Africa.

“Over the last few years, 150 Lusophone practitioners have been trained on AfCFTA issues, peace and security, and e-commerce. We also collaborated on the debt-for-climate adaptation swap in Cabo Verde, said Deputy Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro.

According to the MoU, the activities to be implemented include delivering training modules for Portuguese-speaking countries on blue economy and maritime economy, bio-tourism, natural resources management, regional integration, as well as innovative financing instruments for climate action and blue carbon credits.

Fasil Giorghis, Associate Professor of Architecture and Chair of Conservation of Urban and Architectural Heritage at the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development reminded the audience of the role played by self-taught architect, Arturo Mezzedimi who designed Africa Hall. 

Media Queries:
ECA: Sophia Denekew, ECA Media relations: denekews.uneca@un.org

Embassy of Portugal in Ethiopia:

More information about Africa Hall: https://africahall.uneca.org

Historical images: https://africahall.uneca.org/node/7

Renovation: https://africahall.uneca.org/page/inauguration-renovated-africa-hall

Catch the video-on-demand on inauguration: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11/k11zas88cf

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org

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