World Public Summit in Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa will host the inaugural World Public Summit: Africa (July 29–30) at UNECA, drawing 700+ participants from all 54 African countries and international partners to discuss sustainable infrastructure, food and information systems, education, youth engagement, public diplomacy, and cultural heritage. National Dialogue Momentum: Ethiopia’s “Week of Dialogue, Diplomacy and Strategic Reach” highlights the opening of the National Dialogue Conference as a potential turning point, alongside broader diplomatic engagement. Defense and Tech Capacity: Ethiopia inaugurated an Advanced Central Laboratory at the Ethiopian Defense University, backed by the UAE, aimed at boosting cybersecurity, AI, power systems, and advanced manufacturing for national security and research. Digital Economy Push: Ethio telecom says it is still negotiating with Netflix on the commercial rollout despite local caching, while Ethiopia launched a new Digital Financial Service Providers Association to strengthen coordination and financial inclusion. Regional Security Cooperation: Kenya Coast Guard reaffirmed maritime security cooperation after AMFS 2026 in Rabat, holding talks with partners including Ethiopia. Church and Youth Priorities: AMECEA bishops pledged a four-year pastoral priority plan for young people, calling on leaders to end youth exploitation. Eastern DRC Peace Support: Qatar reiterated support for the AU-led eastern DRC peace process during Gaborone talks, including ceasefire monitoring and detainee exchange mechanisms. Fano Rejects Dialogue: The Amhara National Movement Fano says it will not participate in Ethiopia’s National Dialogue and calls for intensifying armed struggle against the federal government.