Secretary-General, at Nairobi Event, Says Support for Good Governance Initiatives Key to Africa’s Economic, Political Advancement

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the sixth Tokyo Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) high-level side event on “TICAD support for good governance in Africa through the effective implementation of Agenda 2063 and the Yokohama and Nairobi Declarations”, in Nairobi today:

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I commend His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya for co-organizing this important event and for his able chairpersonship of the African Peer Review Mechanism.

Good governance is at the heart of the work of the United Nations. Without good governance, peace, security, development and human rights can rarely be sustained.  Governance is also the lifeblood of any society.  If it is inclusive, transparent, accountable and responsive, it will strengthen all pillars and components of a body politic.

But, if governance is weak, corrupt or discriminatory, it can poison the very fabric of society and put a country at risk of instability, poverty and conflict.

Both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 emphasize the importance of governance.

Africa has made tremendous progress in promoting good political, social and economic governance.  Most Africans today are able to exercise their right to vote.  The continent is becoming an attractive destination for investment.  Africa has also pioneered progressive policies to entrench democracy and the rule of law.

I hope this meeting will generate much-needed support for Africa’s good governance initiatives.  I wish you fruitful discussions and congratulate all of you on the progress achieved so far.