UN Secretary-General Message on Africa Day
The FPCD aligns itself with the United Nations Secretary General, on the occasion of Africa Day.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON AFRICA DAY
25 May 2012
Each year, Africa
Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the peoples and
governments of Africa and to reaffirm the support
of the United Nations for their efforts to build a better future.
The United Nations
commends Africa’s recent efforts to
consolidate its peace and security architecture, and to reject unconstitutional
changes of power. We will continue to
work with Africa in building durable peace,
ending armed conflicts, boosting democracy, and promoting respect for
fundamental human rights, especially the rights of women and youth.
Africa is a dynamic continent
undergoing fundamental transformation. Even
during the world economic crisis, Africa’s
economies continued to expand, and growth forecasts remain positive. However, the benefits are not reaching all
Africans. Poverty, hunger, and
disparities in health, education, and participation in society, are preventing
hundreds of millions of Africans from fully realizing their potential. Greater effort is needed by all to achieve the
Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
The growing number
of success stories across Africa indicates
that broader social and economic progress is realistically attainable for most
Africans. I have personally seen the
dividends of investing in women’s and children’s health and sustainable
agriculture. I have spent many hours with
African leaders who are committed to peace, human rights, democracy and good
governance.
The challenge is
to extend these advances and ensure they reach all Africans, especially the
continent’s poorest and most vulnerable people. In particular, we must address the spectre of
hunger – from the highly visible periodic food emergencies to the hidden
disgrace of stunting that is affecting a new generation of African
children.
Many of these
issues are on the table at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development next
month in Brazil. Rio+20 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity
to mould the future we want – a future where climate change and desertification
are no longer threats; where devastating maternal and child mortality, and diseases
such as TB and HIV/AIDS, are consigned to the past; where all people have access
to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.
From renewable
energy to thriving oceans, from empowered women to productive partnerships
between governments, civil society and business, Rio+20 is our chance to
deliver for all, particularly Africa. On this observance of Africa Day, as the
world tries to forge a renewed global partnership for sustainable development,
I pledge to work with Africa’s leaders and people to implement an agenda that
addresses Africa’s needs – an agenda that will set the continent on the path to
the future we all want: dynamic, equitable and sustainable growth that benefits
all Africans.
posted by Claudia Abate at 12:34 PM
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