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Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in this high level meeting.

Much has already been said by the previous speakers, and I totally agree with the Chair of the Union President Cyril Ramaphosa.

But I would like to emphasise the situation today on the ground in Africa, keeping in mind that Africa’s continental strategy is already in full swing coordinated by the Africa Union Commission that includes both a response to the public health needs and the socio-economic challenges of this pandemic.

The Chairperson of the African Union, President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Donald Kaberuka, Mr Tidjane Thiam and Mr Trevor Manuel as Special Envoys of the African Union to mobilise international support for Africa’s efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Special Envoys will be tasked with soliciting rapid and concrete support as pledged by the G20, the European Union and other international financial institutions.