- Interacts with Ethiopian Delegation under Capacity Building Programme in Vidhan Sabha
- Ethiopian delegation visits Delhi Vidhan Sabha
New Delhi I 15 May 25 , The Hon’ble Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, today engaged in a special interaction with a 41-member high-level delegation from the Government of Ethiopia. The delegation is currently visiting India as part of the “One Week Capacity Building Programme for Civil Servants of Ethiopia,” organized by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) from 12th to 17th May 2025.
The Ethiopian delegation, comprising Ms. Zahra Humed, Deputy Speaker of the Union Parliament, alongside Speakers of Regional Parliaments, State Ministers, Departmental Secretaries, and Heads of Security Bureaus, visited the Delhi Legislative Assembly premises for a meaningful exchange of parliamentary practices and experiences. Welcoming the distinguished guests, Vijender Gupta offered a comprehensive overview of the working and heritage of the Delhi Legislative Assembly—one of India’s most historic legislative bodies.
In his address, Gupta expressed the honour of hosting the Ethiopian delegation and underscored the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between India and Ethiopia, exemplified by shared traditions such as sambusas and chai. He also highlighted Delhi’s governance advancements, including the adoption of the National e-Vidhan Application (NEVA) for paperless operations, the installation of a 500 kW solar power plant—making it India’s first fully solar-powered Assembly—and the digitization of the Assembly library to conserve legislative heritage.
Hon’ble Speaker elaborated on key initiatives like the MLA-Minister Collaborative Framework, designed to enhance administrative responsiveness, and efforts to transform the Assembly into a hub of civic education through features like a light-and-sound show on India’s freedom movement. These, he noted, reflect Delhi’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and public engagement.
Vijender Gupta also recounted the historic significance of the Assembly building, initially constructed to house the Imperial Legislative Council under the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909. The building hosted its first session in 1914 after the capital’s relocation from Calcutta to Delhi in 1912. It later served as the venue for the Central Legislative Assembly and joint sessions with the Council of States under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919. Between 1966 and 1990, it housed the Delhi Metropolitan Council.
The Speaker emphasized the value of international legislative cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and shared progress. “The Delhi Legislative Assembly is not merely a legislative center—it is a living monument of India’s democratic journey. We are delighted to welcome our Ethiopian colleagues to this historic institution and look forward to continued collaboration and mutual learning,” he said.
Ms. Zahra Humed, Deputy Speaker of the Ethiopian Union Parliament, commended India’s vibrant democratic culture and robust institutional structures. She noted the cultural affinities between the two nations, including shared love for street food, Indian films, and the educational influence of Indian-origin educators in Ethiopia. She recognized India as the world’s fastest-growing economy and highlighted Ethiopia’s own rapid development as East Africa’s fastest-growing economy. Stressing both nations’ membership in BRICS+, she called for enhanced bilateral cooperation. Ms. Humed expressed admiration for how India has achieved such remarkable progress amid vast diversity and a large population, and concluded by applauding the country’s exceptional achievements.
The interaction concluded with warm expressions of gratitude from the Ethiopian delegation, who lauded India’s democratic values and the vital role its institutions play in fostering effective and inclusive Governance.
