Africa

[Bilingual as delivered]

[Bilingual as delivered]

Dear Friends,
 
Twenty years ago, thanks to the advocacy of women peacebuilders and particularly those in Africa, the United Nations Security Council adopted the landmark resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
 
This was the first-time women were recognized not only as victims of war but as people with their own agency and expertise, who are valuable assets to findings peaceful solutions to conflict.
 
Since then, there have been nine additional Security Council resolutions on WPS and several African Union instruments have been put in place.

I thank the Republic of Seychelles for bringing us together to highlight the importance of – and threats to – the world’s oceans and maritime environments.
 
The world’s oceans are a massive resource for sustainable development and a crucial buffer against climate change. 
 
The Blue Economy has been described as the “new frontier of African Renaissance”, with the potential to create wealth, promote trade, generate economic growth and transform lives.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
 
In 1995, African women made their voices heard during the Beijing World Conference on Women.
 
It was a pivotal moment for global recognition of the rights of women and girls.
 
African women were also instrumental in advocating for the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 on women peace and security two decades ago, which recognised the vital contribution of women to the pursuit of peace and called for their inclusion in all levels of negotiation processes.
 

[English version; scroll down for bilingual as delivered version]

[Deliverd in French, scroll down for French version]

[Deliverd in French, scroll down for French version]

[Delivered in French]

I am very happy to be in the territory of Beni today.

I could not go to the DRC without coming to meet the brave people of this beautiful territory, who, beyond a terrible Ebola epidemic, and other health problems like measles, malaria or cholera, unfortunately have to face great insecurity.

Your Excellency, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I thank the Government of Kenya for helping the United Nations organize this landmark conference.
 
To begin, I would like to honour the tens of thousands of African victims of terrorism and to express solidarity with African countries that have suffered terrorist attacks that shock with their barbarity and disregard for human life.
 
Kenya itself has endured numerous terrorist attacks.