By JoAnne Wadsworth, Communications Consultant, G20 Interfaith Forum.
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On May 13, 2025, the G20 Interfaith Forum Association, in partnership with the United Religions Initiative (URI), the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, and the African Union, hosted the opening plenary of a two-day conference on “Africa’s Faith Communities: Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063, and G20 South Africa’s 2025 Process.” The conference celebrated the African Union’s recent membership in the G20 and commemorated the 2025 World Interfaith Harmony Week and Golden Rule Day. Distinguished guests included H.E. Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssef, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; government ministers; religious leaders; and diplomatic representatives from across Africa and beyond.
Opening Ceremony
The conference began with the playing of the Ethiopian and African Union anthems, followed by an interfaith prayer led by religious leaders from the Ethiopian Interreligious Council. A group of youth representatives then delivered a powerful recitation of the Golden Rule as expressed in various faith traditions:
“Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you,” from Hinduism; “No one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself,” from Islam; and “What is hateful, do not do to your neighbors. This is the whole Torah. All there is is this commentary,” from Judaism, among others.
The recitation emphasized the common ethical foundation shared across religious traditions, setting the tone for the interfaith dialogue to follow.
Welcome Addresses
Teguhan Tagay Tadele (Kesis), Secretary General of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia, welcomed attendees and introduced Ethiopia as “a beautiful mosaic of different cultures, faiths and traditions living together in harmony.” He highlighted Ethiopia’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom and the separation of state and religion, noting that “all religious and religion practices, cultures, peoples, nations and nationalities are equally recognized.”
Kesis Tadele explained the mission of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia:
“The Intelligence Council of Ethiopia actively works in promoting peaceful coexistence, interfaith harmony and cooperation, mutual respect, preservation of the long-standing moral values, religion, ethics, environmental protection, social development and promoting human dignity based on the teaching of the Golden Rule which says treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Ambassador Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of URI for Africa and Representative to the African Union and UN Office in Africa, presented greetings on behalf of URI members worldwide. He described URI as “a grassroots interfaith organization which is working in promoting enduring daily interfaith cooperation to promote a culture of peace, justice and healing for the earth and all living beings.”
Ambassador Hailu congratulated H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssef on his election as the new chairperson of the African Union Commission and pledged support to advance the African Union’s vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”
Presidential Address
H.E. Taye Atske Selassie, President of Ethiopia, delivered a comprehensive keynote address that highlighted the essential role of interfaith cooperation in addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges. He began by acknowledging Ethiopia’s unique position as a landmark of interfaith harmony and a symbol of freedom as a country that had never been colonized.
“Ethiopia stands today not only as a land of origin for humanity, but as a living testament to what is possible when diverse faiths find common ground in shared values,” President Selassie stated. “Our constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion, ensuring that all religious practices and cultural expressions receive equal recognition and protection.”
The President emphasized the crucial intersection between faith communities and sustainable development:
“Faith communities are not peripheral to development—they are central to it. They reach the most vulnerable, they preserve cultural wisdom, and they speak to the moral imperatives that must guide our collective progress. This is why the African Union’s membership in the G20 is not merely symbolic but essential for ensuring that African priorities, including the spiritual dimensions of human development, are given their rightful place in global governance.”
President Selassie specifically addressed the role of religious leaders in fostering peace across the continent:
“When we speak of building peace in Africa, we must recognize that religious leaders are often the first mediators of conflict, the first responders to crisis, and the most trusted voices in many communities. The G20 Interfaith Forum provides a vital platform for these voices to be heard at the highest levels of global decision-making. As we implement Agenda 2063, we must ensure that interfaith dialogue remains at the heart of our pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.”
He concluded with a powerful call to action:
“The teaching of the Golden Rule—to treat others as we wish to be treated—is not merely an abstract principle but a practical foundation for policy. It demands that we address climate change with urgency, that we ensure economic systems serve human dignity, and that we protect the most vulnerable among us. As Africa takes its place at the G20 table, we bring this ethical framework as our contribution to global problem-solving.”
Looking Forward
Following the opening plenary, a representative of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association outlined the conference’s objectives and the critical role that interfaith cooperation plays in advancing both G20 and African Union priorities. He emphasized that the forum would focus on concrete recommendations for how faith communities can contribute to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The opening plenary set the stage for two days of intensive discussions on topics including building peace, sustainable development, climate challenges, human rights, women’s leadership, and the concerns of refugees and youth. Participants prepared to develop actionable recommendations for the G20 South Africa Summit while strengthening the networks between faith communities across Africa.
The conference exemplified the motto displayed prominently throughout the proceedings: “MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH.”
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JoAnne Wadsworth is a Communications Consultant for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and Editor of the Viewpoints Blog.