09/09/2025
Dear Ethiopians and Friends of Ethiopia across the globe,
Today, we stand at the dawn of a new era, not just for our nation, but for the entire region. As we inaugurate the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), our hearts are filled with profound gratitude and immense pride. This moment is a testament to what a nation can achieve when it stands united in purpose and unwavering in its faith.
First and foremost, we offer our highest praise and thanks to the Almighty God. It is by His grace and guidance that we have overcome immense challenges. When international lenders turned away, refusing to finance our dream, it was the will of God that moved the spirit of our people. He ignited in us a determination to achieve the impossible, transforming a dream into a concrete reality, funded by the sacrifices of every Ethiopian, from every corner of our diverse and beautiful land.
We remember the diplomatic challenges and the pressures from our downstream neighbors, Egypt and Sudan. Through it all, we remained steadfast, guided by a principle of equitable and reasonable utilization, and a commitment to peaceful dialogue. We thank God for granting our leaders wisdom and our diplomats patience to navigate these complex waters. This dam is not a threat, but a beacon of hope for regional cooperation and mutual prosperity.
The GERD is more than a hydroelectric project; it is a monument to our unity. It was built by the collective will of over 110 million people. It symbolizes what we can achieve when we collaborate, when we look past our differences, and work towards a common, luminous goal. It is a powerful promise to future generations that their future will be lit by clean energy and powered by self-reliance.
As we celebrate this inauguration, let us renew our pledge to the unity and collaboration that brought us here. May the same spirit that built the GERD guide us in building an even more prosperous, peaceful, and united Ethiopia.
May God bless Ethiopia and the People
