Building on Africa’s Progress, Leaders Must Advance Good Governance Efforts, Secretary-General Tells Nairobi Event’s Session on Social Stability

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the sixth Tokyo Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) thematic session 3 on “promoting social stability for shared prosperity”, in Nairobi today:

Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me pleasure to greet this TICAD VI thematic session on social stability for shared prosperity.  I thank Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, for co-chairing this session with the United Nations.  I also commend His Excellency, President Idriss Deby, Chairperson of the African Union, for his leadership.

Reinforcing the links between peace, security, sustainable development, good governance, human rights and environmental stewardship has always been a priority for the United Nations.  This crucial nexus figures prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Paris Agreement on climate change and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

These agendas provide a compelling opportunity for Africa.  Africa faces serious security concerns, including a recent surge of transnational organized crime, violent extremism and terrorism.  The impacts of climate change and desertification are growing more severe.  Many African women are yearning for equal rights, and young people for greater opportunities.

I encourage Africa’s leaders to build on the continent’s progress and to press ahead with important initiatives aimed at upholding good governance, the rule of law and human rights, such as the African Peer Review Mechanism and the proposed African Human Security Index.

TICAD, with human security as its central strategy, has been supporting people-centred development in Africa for more than two decades.  The United Nations will continue to be Africa’s partner in achieving prosperity and social stability for all.