United-Nations-Secretary-General-Ban-ki-Moon
UNITED NATIONS
INFORMATION CENTRE – DAR ES SALAAM
May 25, 2012
UNIC
2012/03/15
PRESS
STATEMENT
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.