Addis ababa: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, inaugurated the newly renovated African Hall, a significant symbol of Pan-African unity and liberation. During the ceremony, Guterres highlighted Africa’s potential and challenges, emphasizing the continent’s historical significance and its ongoing struggles with climate change, conflict, and poverty.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Secretary-General Guterres described the African Hall as a bridge between Africa’s past and future. He reminisced about its original inauguration by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1961, a time when only 26 African nations had achieved independence. Guterres noted, “Today, Africa is a transformed continent. And to my mind, this renewed building symbolized renewed hope and unity for Africa.” He asserted that the hall embodies the continent’s collective aspirations and is a testament to its resilience, serving as a beacon of hope for more than six decades.
The UN Chief also
stressed the importance of acknowledging and addressing the continent’s challenges, which are deeply rooted in its history and exacerbated by modern issues such as climate change and economic instability. He pointed out the disproportionate impact of these challenges on African women and called for resolute action and renewed solidarity to tackle these issues.
Guterres criticized the outdated structure of global institutions, which were established when most of Africa was still under colonial rule. He highlighted the lack of African representation in significant bodies like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and called for urgent reforms to make these institutions more effective, fair, and inclusive.
Furthermore, the Secretary-General discussed the global digital compact and the declaration on future generations adopted by world leaders, which includes reforms in the Security Council and international financial architecture to better address the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa.
Guterres concluded by emphasizing the importance of including young people in the implementation of these historic agreements and moving forward together without delay.
