The first part of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Union, held in Nairobi, Kenya, was marked by a series of inspiring speeches from African leaders committed to promoting integration, peace and sustainable development on the continent. These high-level interventions underscored the importance of regional cooperation, conflict resolution and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.
The inaugural address by Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted the organization’s commitment to continental integration and conflict resolution. He highlighted the progress made in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and called for enhanced collaboration among African countries to achieve their common goals.
The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Madam Amina M., hailed the efforts of the African Union in promoting integration and sustainable development in Africa. She stressed the importance of international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and called for increased support for African initiatives. She affirmed that the UN is committed to supporting the African Union in its efforts to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent.
The President of Kenya, William Ruto, highlighted the importance of African integration for economic growth and poverty reduction. He hailed the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and highlighted its potential to boost intra-African trade. He announced that Kenya will abolish the entry visa for visitors in the near future, thus contributing to continental integration.
Comoros President Azali concluded the series of speeches by emphasizing the importance of peace and conflict resolution in Africa. He called for a frank and sincere dialogue between the parties in conflict and underlined the key role of education in the development of the continent. He also highlighted the need to train an additional 17 million teachers by 2030 to meet education needs in Africa.
This first part of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Union highlighted the commitment of African leaders to regional integration, peace and sustainable development. However, further interventions are planned for the second part of the session, which will further delve into these crucial questions. African leaders will continue to work together to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent, by implementing concrete initiatives and promoting regional cooperation