On the occasion of Africa Day, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a powerful message recognizing Africa’s dynamic potential while urging the international community to confront historic injustices and support inclusive, sustainable development across the continent.
“Africa is rich in heritage, vibrant in diversity, and remarkable in its contributions to our global community,” Guterres said in his statement. He highlighted the continent’s rapidly growing youth population and its emergence as a leader in renewable energy and technological innovation.
Yet, he cautioned, Africa continues to endure the enduring consequences of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic racism. These legacies, the Secretary-General said, have left deep scars and perpetuated inequality for Africans and people of African descent worldwide.
The 2025 Africa Day theme calls for confronting these shameful legacies. In response, Guterres renewed his call for “reparatory justice that is grounded in accountability, reconciliation, and equity.”
He also drew attention to the "Pact for the Future", adopted in September 2024, as a framework for global reform that includes enhanced African representation in global decision-making bodies such as the UN Security Council and a restructured international financial system that prioritizes debt relief and sustainable financing for African nations.
The Pact also includes the "Global Digital Compact", a major initiative to bridge the digital divide and promote the ethical use of artificial intelligence—measures the Secretary-General emphasized as vital for Africa’s equitable integration into the global economy.
Praising Africa’s leadership in regional cooperation, Guterres pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a transformative opportunity for economic integration and growth. “At a time when barriers are being erected, Africa leads by example,” he said.
He called for continued global support in Africa’s clean energy transition, emphasizing that the continent must be the primary beneficiary of its own critical mineral resources—essential to the global shift toward renewable energy.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to peace and security in Africa, Guterres pledged to continue supporting efforts to “silence the guns, tackle terrorism, and safeguard human rights for all.”
“On this Africa Day, let us recommit to not only addressing past wrongs, but also to building a sustainable future for the people of Africa grounded in peace, dignity, and opportunity for all,” the Secretary-General concluded.
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