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Ban Ki-moon makes last address to AU gathering as UN Secretary General

Xinhua, January 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has made his last address to the African Union (AU) summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa as a UN Secretary General.

Ban Ki-moon was speaking on Saturday at the opening of the 26th AU summit at the headquarters of the pan-African bloc in Addis Ababa.

"This is my last visit as Secretary-General of the United nations to the African Union summit in Addis Ababa. It is a very meaningful moment for me," said the Secretary-General.

"It has been an enormous privilege to work with the people, the governments and the leaders of Africa over the past nine years," he said, "I have travelled to almost every country on the continent, and met countless inspiring African leaders and citizens."

"In the Democratic Republic of the Congo," the Secretary-General said, "I was moved by Denis Mukwege and his work at the Panzi hospital to rescue women victims of terrible sexual crimes."

He also hailed the AU leadership and its efforts to mobilize in response to the threat posed by the Ebola outbreak in West African countries.

"When Ebola struck, I was impressed by the health workers who volunteered to risk their own lives for their communities. While the world was running away from the virus, they rushed into help," stated the Secretary-General.

"I will always be proud of standing with Archbishop Desmond Tutu to denounce all forms of discrimination. And I will cherish in my heart the tributes we paid to the late President Nelson Mandela."

The Secretary-General commended Africans for the support to him and the United Nations in the joint endeavors towards better future.

"I have seen the wonders of Africa, from the spectacular Victoria Falls in Zambia to the champions of democracy in Tunisia. I have seen the bravery of African peacekeepers and the success of democratically elected African leaders," he said.

The Secretary-General pledged to continue to give Africans his strongest support until he leaves the position and hands over to his successor. Endit