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"An Africa Day commemoration event took place at the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa on Monday, where AU Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf praised the continent's 'smooth' rise, which he said was "with conviction and determination.” Footage shows the celebration, held under the theme “Sixty-Three Years of Unity, Integration and Development,” bringing together African leaders, diplomats, and international partners in a symbolic reflection on the continent’s political and economic journey. Africa Day was marked with renewed calls for unity, development and stronger global representation, as leaders gathered to reflect on the continent’s progress since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. “Today, member of the G20. Tomorrow, hopefully, two permanent members of the UN Security Council,” he said, adding that Africa’s population and economic weight will continue to reshape global influence in the coming decades. Youssouf noted that Africa’s population is expected to reach 2.5 billion, while the continent’s GDP could rise to around 10 trillion dollars in the coming years, describing Africa’s youth as “the powerhouse that all continents are looking at with envy.” Youssouf urged renewed commitment to unity, saying Africa’s resources and human potential must be harnessed to secure a stronger collective future on the global stage. Meanwhile, Ambassador Hadera Abera Admassu, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed today's UN General Assembly decision on slavery and colonialism. "We welcome the decision of the UN General Assembly recognising slavery and colonialism as a grave crime against humanity. So long overdue, this decision is meaningful. We extend our appreciation,” he noted. China's permanent Representative to the African Union, Jiang Feng, reaffirmed Beijing’s long-standing partnership with the continent, saying China and Africa have always adhered to “equality in cooperation, fairness and justice.” “China never interferes in the internal affairs of African countries and never attaches any political conditions to its cooperation with Africa,” he said, adding that the relationship has ‘withstood the test of time.’ Jiang also pledged continued support for Africa’s digital transformation, including efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, develop local talent, and reduce the digital divide across the continent. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also marked the occasion, extending greetings to Africans and recalling the historic 1963 Addis Ababa summit where leaders laid the foundations for continental unity. He called for greater solidarity and action-driven progress as Africa continues to pursue integration, stability, and economic transformation."
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