Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia laureate of the 2019 edition of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny - UNESCO Peace Prize

Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is namedas laureate of the 2019 edition of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize for his actions in the region and, in particular,for having been the instigator of a peace agreement between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The jury also recognizes the laureate's worthiness for the reforms undertaken to consolidate democracy and social cohesion. Finally, the jury considers this distinction as an encouragement topursue hiscommitment to the promotion of a culture of peace in the region andacross the African continent.

The Jury met on 29 April at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to designate the laureate of the 2019 edition of the prize, which will mark the 30th anniversary ofits inception.

The jury was composed of Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of LiberiaandNobel Peace Laureate (2011), Mr François Hollande, Former President of France, Princess Sumayabint El Hassan of Jordan - UNESCO Special Envoy for science for peace,MrMichelCamdessus(France) - Former Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)and Professor Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh),founder ofGrameenBank - Nobel Peace Laureate (2006) andMr.Forest Whitaker (United States of America),founder of the Peace and Development Initiative.

In 1989, in order to pay tribute to President Félix Houphouet-Boigny’s action for peace in the world, 120 countries sponsoreda resolution unanimously adopted by UNESCO's Member Statesto establish the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize - UNESCO Peace Prize .The Prizeis intendedtohonorlivingindividuals and active public or private institutions or bodies that have made a significant contribution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or maintaining peace in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitution of UNESCO.

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on an official visit to Ethiopia on 2 and 3 May on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, will meet with the Prime Minister and convey her warm congratulations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).