Africa Day celebrated under theme of unity, culture and partnership

Africa Day was commemorated by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Mauritius yesterday in Ebene under the theme “Honouring African Unity, Culture and Partnership”. Observed annually on 25 May, the occasion marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, now known as the African Union. This year’s theme celebrates Africa’s cultural richness and diversity while reaffirming the importance of unity and collective action in addressing shared challenges.

The event, hosted by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Mauritius, Mrs Abir Alam Eldin, was attended by the Minister of Industry, SME and Cooperatives, Mr Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea; Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Mr Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem; the Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen alongside diplomats and dignitaries.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Ameer Meea paid tribute to the founding vision of African unity, describing Africa Day as "a reminder of a vision of unity, dignity and solidarity." He expressed gratitude to the Embassy for its role in strengthening Mauritius-Egypt ties.

The Minister called on African nations to move beyond economic dependency urging the continent to produce its own goods, transform its own resources and support its entrepreneurs. "Africa cannot forever remain only a consumer market for the rest of the world," he said.

Minister Ameer Meea placed this year's African Union theme, sustainable water availability and sanitation under Agenda 2063 at the centre of his remarks, stressing that access to safe water is a driver of economic growth, food security and public health, not merely an environmental concern.

He also highlighted Mauritius' forthcoming hosting of the US-Africa Business Summit as an opportunity to advance Africa's development agenda and reinforce the country’s role as a continental bridge. "Africa's story is still being written," he stated, "and perhaps the greatest chapter is yet to come."

Ambassador Alam Eldin outlined Egypt's contributions to continental water diplomacy, citing its presidency of COP27, the annual Cairo Water Week, leadership of the African Water Facility and a new $100 million financing mechanism for Nile Basin infrastructure.

She further announced the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, to be held in Egypt in June 2026, a platform which will bring together African leaders and business communities for economic dialogue and strategic partnerships.

22 May 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation