Dear friends and allies,

Thank you all for taking part in this wonderful initiative. And thanks especially to Louis Michel and his colleagues for making it happen. As Secretary-General, and as an African, I am delighted.

Once again, by bringing the public and the specialists together to support Africa, the European Union is showing the spirit we need to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

You are building on the courageous leadership you showed last year, when all EU countries committed themselves to reach the 0.7 target for Official Development Assistance by 2015.

That commitment was a milestone in the history of development cooperation. By it, the EU showed the rest of the world that it is serious about making a real difference in the lives of millions of Africans. It challenged other developed countries to do the same. And thus it helped pave the way to the Outcome of last year's World Summit.

Our challenge now is to meet all the commitments agreed at the Summit, and step up our efforts to reach all the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

If we do, it will be largely thanks to Europe's lead.

As you know, I am now preparing to step down, after 10 years as Secretary-General. But I intend to continue working for Africa, and my new freedom will allow me to do so in new ways. Knowing that I'll have partners like you fills me with energy and hope.

I wish you every success with these Development Days. May they show all of us the way forward, and help us to keep up the good work!