H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss Remarks at Africa Day

By H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss May 31, 2011

Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,

First and foremost, I would like to thank the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Group and the African Union for inviting me. 

As we celebrate Africa Day, this event, today in New York, clearly shows how resilient, dignified, and generous African men and women are everywhere. We, in the international community, are reminded that we are all members of the same global village, and that we must strive to care for each other.

As I travel regularly to the mother of all continents, my recent visits tell me that Africa is not only reshaping our global agenda, Africa is indeed at the heart of our global agenda, our challenge as well as our hope for a better tomorrow.

A continent of more than 50 nations, Africa represents a real force in the General Assembly. With their Caribbean sisters and brothers, Africans truly constitute a formidable group to be reckoned with in the United Nations General Assembly.

Today, however, we are not focusing on politics or Millennium Development Goals. We are focusing on having a big party. A gathering among friends. As it is often said in African cities and villages, you cannot claim to be someone’s friend if you have not shared with him or her a meal. That is a good start.

Thank you