APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The United States government on Monday opened the largest of its embassies in sub-Saharan Africa in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, a hub for diplomatic activities in Africa.
The new embassy was officially opened in the presence of the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, as well as Ethiopian and African Union (AU) Commission officials.
“The official ribbon cutting ceremony marks the end of a two and a half year building project that added approximately $16 million to the Ethiopian economy and employs in excess of 1,200 Ethiopian workers,” said the embassy.
The new building consolidates in one facility the US embassy to Ethiopia and the US Mission to the African Union.
The US embassy to Ethiopia now has all resident US government agencies under one roof. Previously, US government agencies operated in separate buildings and in four different locations around the city of Addis Ababa.
“The location of these agencies into the new building will enhance daily coordination on various diplomatic and development activities in Ethiopia,” said the embassy.
The building, currently the largest US chancery in Sub-Saharan Africa, employs the latest green technology and includes architectural features drawing on Ethiopian historical styles,” said the embassy.
The building is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified facility with energy efficient design employed throughout.
The exterior design subtly incorporates stone features from Ethiopian architectural monuments in Axum and Lalibela.
The US ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Booth affirmed that the building “is a symbol of the cooperation and friendship that the United States enjoys with this extraordinary country.”
“This new state-of-the-art chancery building will better serve the US Mission in Ethiopia and support the continuation of productive and strong relations with Ethiopia and the African Union in the years to come,” added the ambassador.
, 01/31/11
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United States Dedicates New Embassy Compound in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Media Note
Washington, DC
In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with Ethiopia, as well as our bilateral relationships with the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union, Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg dedicated the new U.S. Embassy facility in Ethiopia today. Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and African Union Deputy Chairman Erastus Mwencha attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, as well as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Lydia Muniz; U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald E. Booth; and U.S. Ambassador to the African Union, Michael E. Battle.
The dedication of the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Addis Ababa marks the 77th diplomatic facility to be completed by the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) since the 1999 enactment of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act. In the last twelve years, OBO has moved more than 22,000 people into safer facilities. OBO has built 30 new facilities in Africa and has an additional seven projects in design or construction on the continent.
The New Embassy Compound, located just below Entoto Mountain and overlooking Addis Ababa, was designed to maintain much of the plant and wildlife that has existed on the site for many years. The building design integrates green building techniques and was one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) registered facilities in Ethiopia.
The multi-building complex provides more than approximately 1,000 U.S. embassy direct hire and locally employed staff, including the U.S. Mission to the African Union, with more than 19,000 square meters of working space.
B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama, under a design/build contract, constructed the NEC; the architectural firm of Page Southerland Page of Arlington, Virginia designed the facility. The total approximate cost of the project, which generated jobs in both the United States and Ethiopia, is $157 million. The new facility was completed in August 2010, with, at times, more than 1,200 workers involved in the construction.
For further information, please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov
or (703) 875-5751.
, January 31, 2011
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