The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa was Held at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C.

Ethiopian Embassy D.C.
Tigrai Onlne - March 5, 2015

Mr. Grant T. Harris, Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for African Affairs on the National Security Staff addressing the meeting.

The program was held in partnership with the Embassy of Ethiopia that hosted Mr. Grant T. Harris, Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for African Affairs on the National Security Staff of the White House as a the featured speaker for the first 2015, on the evening of March 3, 2015 at the hall of the Chancery of the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C.

In his welcoming remark, Special Envoy and Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the US Girma Birru, extended a profound thanks to all involved in the materialization of the event. He quickly expressed his pleasure of welcoming Mr. Grant Harris who he said has and continues to play a vital role in extending a deep engagement and leadership towards enhancing US-Africa relations.

 Ambassador Girma, further noted by saying that," Honorable Grant Harris is a committed friend of Africa in advancing the seamless and timely reauthorization of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act /AGOA /. " as we get closer to the date of expiration of the AGOA legislation come September 2015, I Call upon Honorable Harris, and all of you gathered here, to relentlessly work together for the speedy renewal of this landmark legislation", he re-iterated.

In his lecture Mr. Harris discussed the Obama administration's priorities with respect to US policy vis-a-vis the continent of Africa in 2015, the status of key Obama initiatives such as Power Africa, and steps taken by the administration following US-Africa Summit held in Washington D.C. last year where over 50 African Heads of State and government participated.

Now in its thirteenth year, the Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series features distinguished speakers whose work has influenced and advanced awareness in US-Africa relations.

Over 200 guests, including members of African Diplomatic Corps, corporate sector, media and representatives of the Africa-focused NGO communities and civil society members and the staff of the Ethiopian Embassy were present during the session.