H.E. Dr. Rajkumar RANJAN SINGH, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

H.E. Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

All Excellencies Joint Secretaries from Different Divisions of MEA present

Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Dear Friends of Africa and distinguished guests present

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the African Heads of Missions in New Delhi, I take this opportunity to welcome you all on this very auspicious celebration of Africa Day. We are glad that after two years of cancellation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa Day 2022 in India is being celebrated in a physical mode.

As for all of us who are here today, I thank you for making time for this occasion to well-commemorate the Anniversary of the creation of the Organization of African unity ( OAU) on 25th May 1963 in Addis Ababa which has evolved into the African Union (AU).

This year’s theme, focused on the importance of addressing malnutrition and food insecurity, is important. Across the continent, Africa faces stark development challenges, including food insecurity and increasing malnutrition.

These are amplified by global crises, include COVID-19 and climate change. And they interconnect with ongoing difficulties caused by such issues as changing weather patterns and its strong local consequences.

Reinforced action to strengthen resilience in nutrition and food security will help overcome the effects of many of these challenges. And it will lay a strong foundation to empower communities.

This occasion presents us with opportunity to mobilize our efforts and resources to deal with food security. Urgent action is required to protect the poor and vulnerable. Interventions targeting the most disadvantaged are required to invest in human capital. Continued efforts are needed, including advocacy in regions and communities where risks are greatest, strengthening social protection systems. The 2022 Africa Day is aimed at generating awareness and consciousness for nutrition and health concerns in Africa.

In accord with the Africa Day of 2022, India and Africa have cooperated on food security in the recent decade. India has long-standing bilateral collaboration with various African countries via training programmes, institutional development, and resources in agricultural and related sectors.

India is also supporting Africa’s agricultural agenda via bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts, including the India Africa Forum Summits and high-level visits from India to Africa. The relationship between India and Africa extends beyond geopolitical and economic issues. This cooperation is set to achieve shared prosperity and food security for all. A robust agricultural sector is vital to attaining food security and reducing poverty in Africa and India.

Thus, the 2022 Africa Day theme is to promote food security and strengthen the Agricultural system in Africa. The importance of health, nutrition and protection of at-risk communities is not only vital for Africa as a whole but also is a vital component of India-Africa Relations.

Excellency Chief Guest,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Africa has so much potential. It has both the human and technical resources to secure a brighter future for all its inhabitants. African women are an integral part of the solution. They are poised to play a greater role in driving sustainable agricultural practices, in development, and in achieving the African Union’s vision of Agenda 2063. Similarly, African youth – whose number now is over 400 million – have a crucial role to play in driving innovation and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges, while taking part in decision-making today.

We often tend to imagine Africa as a vulnerable continent while it can be a big part of the solution of the food security problem. “We can reverse this trend and Africa will be a big part of the food security solutions. We should strive to transform our natural resources on the continent, for the continent”.

Therefore, strengthening capacity building in agricultural sector, and ensuring food security should remain a priority for India and Africa within the framework of their partnership. Available opportunities in Africa should be exploited fully to ensure a real balance between the ownership of its destiny and partnership with reliable partners like India.

Your Excellencies,

India and Africa's aspirations and challenges are in many ways similar.  Working together, in a win-win spirit, can transform Africa into an economic powerhouse and achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals. And we can ensure that the needs of all its inhabitants are fully met.

On this auspicious occasion of Africa Day, let us rededicate ourselves to strengthening partnerships in pursuit of prosperity and continuous progress for all of us.

With those remarks, let me conclude by thanking you all for being able to join and celebrate with us. In a special way, I thank our Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Rajkumar RANJAN SINGH, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, all distinguished guests and the organizers of this beautiful event.

Sincere thanks and appreciations go to the Ministry of External Affairs for its generous contribution to co-organize with the African Heads of Mission in India this important occasion in celebration of unity in diversity and solidarity.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Happy Africa Day

Long live Africa India friendship!

H.E. Dr. Rajkumar RANJAN SINGH, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

H.E. Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

All Excellencies Joint Secretaries from Different Divisions of MEA present

Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Dear Friends of Africa and distinguished guests present

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the African Heads of Missions in New Delhi, I take this opportunity to welcome you all on this very auspicious celebration of Africa Day. We are glad that after two years of cancellation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa Day 2022 in India is being celebrated in a physical mode.

As for all of us who are here today, I thank you for making time for this occasion to well-commemorate the Anniversary of the creation of the Organization of African unity ( OAU) on 25th May 1963 in Addis Ababa which has evolved into the African Union (AU).

This year’s theme, focused on the importance of addressing malnutrition and food insecurity, is important. Across the continent, Africa faces stark development challenges, including food insecurity and increasing malnutrition.

These are amplified by global crises, include COVID-19 and climate change. And they interconnect with ongoing difficulties caused by such issues as changing weather patterns and its strong local consequences.

Reinforced action to strengthen resilience in nutrition and food security will help overcome the effects of many of these challenges. And it will lay a strong foundation to empower communities.

This occasion presents us with opportunity to mobilize our efforts and resources to deal with food security. Urgent action is required to protect the poor and vulnerable. Interventions targeting the most disadvantaged are required to invest in human capital. Continued efforts are needed, including advocacy in regions and communities where risks are greatest, strengthening social protection systems. The 2022 Africa Day is aimed at generating awareness and consciousness for nutrition and health concerns in Africa.

In accord with the Africa Day of 2022, India and Africa have cooperated on food security in the recent decade. India has long-standing bilateral collaboration with various African countries via training programmes, institutional development, and resources in agricultural and related sectors.

India is also supporting Africa’s agricultural agenda via bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts, including the India Africa Forum Summits and high-level visits from India to Africa. The relationship between India and Africa extends beyond geopolitical and economic issues. This cooperation is set to achieve shared prosperity and food security for all. A robust agricultural sector is vital to attaining food security and reducing poverty in Africa and India.

Thus, the 2022 Africa Day theme is to promote food security and strengthen the Agricultural system in Africa. The importance of health, nutrition and protection of at-risk communities is not only vital for Africa as a whole but also is a vital component of India-Africa Relations.

Excellency Chief Guest,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Africa has so much potential. It has both the human and technical resources to secure a brighter future for all its inhabitants. African women are an integral part of the solution. They are poised to play a greater role in driving sustainable agricultural practices, in development, and in achieving the African Union’s vision of Agenda 2063. Similarly, African youth – whose number now is over 400 million – have a crucial role to play in driving innovation and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges, while taking part in decision-making today.

We often tend to imagine Africa as a vulnerable continent while it can be a big part of the solution of the food security problem. “We can reverse this trend and Africa will be a big part of the food security solutions. We should strive to transform our natural resources on the continent, for the continent”.

Therefore, strengthening capacity building in agricultural sector, and ensuring food security should remain a priority for India and Africa within the framework of their partnership. Available opportunities in Africa should be exploited fully to ensure a real balance between the ownership of its destiny and partnership with reliable partners like India.

Your Excellencies,

India and Africa's aspirations and challenges are in many ways similar.  Working together, in a win-win spirit, can transform Africa into an economic powerhouse and achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals. And we can ensure that the needs of all its inhabitants are fully met.

On this auspicious occasion of Africa Day, let us rededicate ourselves to strengthening partnerships in pursuit of prosperity and continuous progress for all of us.

With those remarks, let me conclude by thanking you all for being able to join and celebrate with us. In a special way, I thank our Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Rajkumar RANJAN SINGH, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, all distinguished guests and the organizers of this beautiful event.

Sincere thanks and appreciations go to the Ministry of External Affairs for its generous contribution to co-organize with the African Heads of Mission in India this important occasion in celebration of unity in diversity and solidarity.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Happy Africa Day

Long live Africa India friendship!