Your Excellency, H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals of the African Union Commission,
Honorable Ministers of Finance Present,
Distinguished Representatives of Central Banks and Debt Management Offices,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we come to the conclusion of this important Ministerial Session, allow me to express, on behalf of the Bureau of the Specialized Technical Committee and on my own behalf, my deep appreciation to all Honorable Ministers, delegations, and the African Union Commission for your active participation, your constructive engagement, and your unwavering commitment to this collective effort.

Today’s meeting marks an important milestone in our journey to define and consolidate a Common African Position on Debt, a framework that gives meaning to our shared vision of a continent that is fiscally sovereign, resilient, and capable of financing its own development priorities.

Distinguished Honorable Ministers,
We have had rich and substantive exchanges on the revised draft of the CAP, reflecting the spirit of partnership and consensus that has characterized this entire process. Through our deliberations, we have confirmed Africa’s unity of purpose and our collective determination to ensure that debt becomes a tool for transformation rather than a burden of constraint.