“Africa Reshaping Global Agenda,” says UN Secretary-General on Africa Day

Speaking at the New York City celebration of Africa Day, May 25 2010 hosted by the African Union in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation , United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that peace and sustainable development in Africa was one of the world body’s priorities, and outlined a major personal effort that will take him to the continent no less than three times in the coming month.

A crowd of over 600 gathered for a glittering celebration of Africa Day at the Manhattan Center in  New York

“By consistently reminding the international community of its responsibility to the most vulnerable, and affirming that we are all members of a global family of nations, Africa has helped to reshape the global agenda,” he said. “That partnership continues, and every UN entity is working closely with African partners to tackle internal strife, attempts at unconstitutional changes of power, violence against civilians — especially women — the challenges of youth unemployment, and the burdens of disease, climate change and food insecurity.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Africa Day celebration congratulating the Ambassadors of  the African Union

Ban Ki Moon said that Africa is helping to reshape the global agenda by reminding us we are one family.

H.E. Tommo Monthe, Vice President of the UN General Assembly and Chair of the Africa Group for May

“Still, we must do more, and we will,” he said. Next month the UN Secretary-General is scheduled to visit a Millennium Village in Malawi to assess first-hand the progress being made towards the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. “The evidence is encouraging,” he said, “and suggests that when we make real efforts, we can succeed. But we don’t, we fail.”

Mme.Desiree Juliette Tendeng Badji

H.E. Téte António, African Union

Taj Hamad, UPF

Earlier, messages marking the 47^th Africa Day and the 50^th Anniversary of Independence for 17 African nations were read on behalf of the President of the General Assembly by H.E. Mr. Michel Tommo Monthe, Ambassador of Cameroon, Vice-President of the UN General Assembly and Chair of the Africa Group for the month of May. He was followed by H.E. Mr. Téte António, Permanent Representative of the African Union.

“As we join with the nations celebrating their 50^th Anniversary of Independence,”  Téte António said, “it is also time to strategically assess the challenges and opportunities facing our continent, especially with regard to the twin issues of peace and security.” Mr. Taj Hamad, Secretary-General of the Universal Peace Federation spoke about the role of the family in creating a world of peace.”It is in the family that we learn to see the face of God in each other,” he said.

H.E. Ban Ki Moon with some of the women leaders who made the evening possible

After cutting the cake celebrating the 50 years of Independence of 17 African nations, the more than 600 guests in attendance turned their attention to an amazing and festive banquet featuring food from all 53 African nations, prepared with a great deal of care and attention by respective members of the UN African Ambassadors Spouses Group and the President, Madame Desiree Juliette Tendeng Badji, who also addressed the gathering.

As the evening continued the Manhattan Center resonated with the sounds of a  musical journey across Africa with songs from Senegal, rhythmical drum beats of Nigeria and Ghana and dances from Egypt; Rai music from Algeria brings in movement and dance, griot singers from Mali and Gnaowa singers from Morocco and many, many more. It was indeed a worthy celebration of the contribution that Africa has made and is making to the world community.

The growing role of Africa as a sporting power was another theme of the evening, with several speakers looking forward to the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This year Africa has an unprecedented six teams competing in the world’s biggest sporting event. “By presenting sport as a powerful instrument for peace promotion, we would like to reassert our faith in the values inherent to sports which are consonant with universal values and our shared African values.” said African Union President Jean Ping, in written remarks.

UPF Worldwide Africa Day Celebrations: In Moscow, UPF joined the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Africa in a conference “Africa Day – 50 years of Freedom”. In partnership with the largest Russian interethnic NGO “The Assembly of the Peoples of Russia” UPF then celebrated Africa Day in the House of the People of Russia in a joyful program attended by many African ambassadors. Other UPF celebrations took place in Washington DC and as far afield as Lagos, Luanda, London, Tel Aviv, Montreal, Stockholm, Delhi and Kathmandu.

Africa Day Celebration with Ambassadors in Washington DC

Africa Day celebration in the Russian Hall of the People

UPF Seminar on Peace & Security, London

UPF Peace Seminar, Lagos University, Nigeria