Excellencies,
African Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the African Union Commission, and in my capacity as the patron of the Africa Week Congress, I would like to express my appreciation to Sompon Socialservices Baden-Württemberg as the initiator and organizer of this congress, to celebrate our Africa Day on the 25th May 2022. In the same breath, let me not forget to thank the following African Ambassadors in Germany who confirmed their participation during this Africa Week congress. H.E Balbina Dias da Silva of the Republic of Angola, H.E Victor Ndocki of the Republic of Cameroon, and Ms. Tania Tait representing H.E the Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the African Union (AU) in May 2013, African political leaders acknowledged past achievements and challenges and re-dedicated themselves to the Pan African vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena”. African Union Commission, supported by NEPAD, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and UN Economic Commission, just to mention a few were tasked to prepare a next 50-year continental Agenda through a people-driven process. Hence the birth of Agenda 2063 “The Africa we want”.

Agenda 2063, which is pari-sissu with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 has 7 Aspirations: a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, an integrated and politically united continent, good governance and respect for human rights, a
peaceful and secure Africa, strong cultural identity and shared values, a people-driven, and influential global player and partner.
I am aware it will be a long walk with challenges until we fully achieve the above-mentioned Aspirations, however, we should be proud and appraise ourselves for the few achievements we have attained so far. To mention a few, The Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the  common passport for some African Blocks, and the Swahili language as an official language for all African Union meetings are good signs that we can if we embrace one another towards this goal.

According to the Agenda 2063 of the African Union, all African descendants should play a vehement role to make these Aspirations be realized and fulfilled by 2063. Having said this, I hereby invite you to the Online Africa week congress taking place, from 23-27th of
May 2022, from 18:00 to 20:00 pm. 

Together with African Ambassadors in Germany, Diaspora civil societies, diverse Stakeholders, and other interested persons. We want to exchange on the role of Diasporas in achieving The Africa we want as well as deliberate on strategies that can support the sustainable development of the African continent, by its people, for its people, and with its people In conclusion, let us embrace and uphold the spirit of UBUNTU!

H.E. Salah Hammad