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 commendsAfrica’s recent efforts to consolidate its peace
and security architecture, and to reject unconstitutional changes of
power. We will continue to work withAfricain building durable peace,
ending armed conflicts, boosting democracy, and promoting respect for
fundamental human rights, especially the rights of women and youth.
Africais
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 acrossAfricaindicates 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 inBrazil. 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, particularlyAfrica. 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.
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