Prime Minister Hailemariam called on all Ethiopians to renew their commitment to attain the Growth and Transformation Plan and bring about good governance. He was speaking at the celebration of the 7th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day held on Saturday in Bahr Dar, the capital of the Amhara Regional State, being held under the

Theme of "Unity with Diversity: Through Meles's Vision and the Constitution for Our Renaissance." The Prime Minister told an audience that included senior government officials, ambassadors and invited guests, that Ethiopians needed to seize the celebration as the opportunity to recommit and scale up their efforts. The occasion would add force to the efforts to realize the vision of the late PM Meles, who gave his life for the equality of nations and nationalities as to build a prosperous Ethiopia.

The Prime Minister said the government would continue to exert its efforts to improve agricultural productivity, reduce unemployment rate and control inflation as well as improve infrastructure. He emphasized that Ethiopians from all walks of life should maximize their efforts towards the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam by improving their savings culture; and he urged everyone to contribute their share to the efforts to build a democratic and prosperous Ethiopia.

The Speaker of the House of Federation, Kassa Tekleberhan, noted that the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia were now able to divert their attention towards fighting poverty as their equality was guaranteed by the Constitution. He stressed that the celebration was aimed at strengthening the unity of the nations and nationalities and consolidating their participation in the efforts to create a one political-economy society.

The Chief Administrator of Amhara Regional State, Ayalew Gobeze, said this year's celebration was unique as it coincided with the public determination to realize the vision of the late Prime Minister. Next year's host for the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day will be the Somali Regional State.