In Video Message for China-Africa Forum, Secretary-General Supports Africa’s Achievements, Aspirations in Year of Global Action

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the fourth China-Africa People’s Forum, in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China, today:

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet the fourth China-Africa People’s Forum.

I thank the China NGO Network for International Exchanges and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union for co-organizing this meeting.

I also thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting.

Your fifteenth anniversary marks a milestone in this extraordinary year of global action for a better world.  It also coincides with the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

Next month, at the United Nations, world leaders will adopt a new sustainable development agenda to transform our world by 2030.  Last month, in Addis Ababa, the international community agreed on a framework to finance our shared ambitions.  In December, in Paris, Governments have pledged a meaningful, universal climate change agreement.

Africa has seen its own significant developments in the last year.  The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its 10-Year Implementation Plan clearly articulate the future Africans want.  I fully support your efforts to make these ambitious African aspirations a reality.

Let us come together for sustainable development, human rights and a life of dignity for all.  Thank you.