Ashraf Khodjaev becomes Uzbekistan’s first ambassador to Ethiopia

Khodjaev officially assumed his new responsibilities after presenting his credentials to the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie. The ceremony took place in Addis Ababa, though the ambassador will continue to maintain his primary residence in Doha.

During the official audience following the ceremony, President Taye Atske Selassie welcomed the landmark appointment, viewing it as a catalyst for progressive development in bilateral relations and practical cooperation between the two states. Khodjaev conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasizing Uzbekistan's readiness to cultivate mutually beneficial economic partnerships with Ethiopia. The Ethiopian head of state expressed his gratitude for the Uzbek administration's steps toward closer engagement and returned his own highest regards to President Mirziyoyev.

The appointment builds upon Khodjaev's widening diplomatic portfolio across North Africa and the Middle East. He has served as Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Qatar since February 2024, and was subsequently accredited as the non-resident ambassador to the Republic of South Africa in October 2025.