It gives me great pleasure to greet the participants in this important Conference on Investing in Tunisia. I thank the Government and people of Tunisia for hosting this meeting.

I congratulate the Government and people of Tunisia for the remarkable achievements they have made in their transitional process. I particularly commend their strong commitment to dialogue in search of  solutions, despite attempts by radical forces to derail the process.

It is crucial that the Government of Tunisia continue to work in an inclusive, participatory and consensual manner to consolidate its democratic gains, improve the state of the economy and strengthen its institutions on a solid foundation of human rights and rule of law.

The United Nations will continue to support the Tunisian transition.

Investment will be a key factor in unleashing the full potential of Tunisia’s transition for the benefit of its citizens. Investment can also be a powerful vehicle for deeper cooperation between Tunisia and its neighbours in Europe and Africa, as well as with its trading partners elsewhere in the world.

Investors – both at home and from abroad – can support Tunisia’s “start-up” democracy by creating decent jobs, generating exports, promoting rights, respecting the environment, and transferring capital, technology and business contacts to spur development. Investing in a sustainable future requires investment not only in physical assets or infrastructure, but also in ideas and people.

I am encouraged by the proposed economic programme that the national dialogue in Tunisia has inspired. This conference represents an important step in turning this vision into reality.

Investment in this “start-up” democracy can deliver not only for the Tunisian people, but also for the broader region.

At this time of turmoil and test, I count on your leadership and your efforts to uphold these responsibilities and to seize the opportunities to build a better future.

In that spirit, I offer my best wishes for a successful meeting.