Boa noite. [“Good evening.”]

I came to Luanda to show my support for the Angolan people and to strengthen the United Nations’ partnership with Angola.

I have had very important meetings with government officials, leaders of civil society, and people in Angola’s communities and Parliamentary leaders.

In my meeting with His Excellency President [José Eduardo] Dos Santos and His Excellency Foreign Minister [Georges Rebelo] Chikoti and other ministers and senior officials, we agreed that the United Nations and Angola can work together for this country and the region.

I see Angola emerging as an international leader.

Angola is chair of the South African Development Community (SADC) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.

I hope Angola will do even more on the international scene, in cooperation with the United Nations.

Angola knows from experience the value of United Nations peacekeeping.

I asked the Angolan Government to contribute to our operations. Angola has a well-trained military and air assets like helicopters that we urgently need to protect civilians.

I hope that Angola will join other countries that once hosted UN peacekeeping operations and now proudly contribute and serve under our blue flag.

I met with the Speaker of Parliament, the Honourable Antonio Paulo Kassoma.

I had hoped to meet with Parliamentary leaders, including the opposition. My message to them is: You play an important role in strengthening inclusive and participatory democracy.

This grows even more crucial as the elections approach.

I did have the chance to meet with members of civil society. I praised their invaluable contribution to progress in Angola. These groups will be even more important as Angola prepares for elections later this year.

All should have the political space they need to operate freely.

Today I had the privilege to help launch this year’s Polio Campaign.

This is part of our effort to help Angola reach the Millennium Development Goals.

Progress has been slow in some key areas.

We have to do more for Angola’s poor. We have to end unnecessary deaths of Angolan mothers and children. We have to give this country’s people the hope and opportunities they deserve.

Angola has great wealth, but it also has large gaps between rich and poor.

The Government should do more to strengthen the social fabric by promoting social equity and ensuring a better distribution of income. This is a matter of stability, prosperity and justice.

It is time to close those gaps so that the whole country can advance as one.

A stronger, more equitable and more democratic Angola can be an even greater leader in this region and the world.

Muito Obrigado. [“Thank you.”]