Department FrontPage

• Honorable Minister, Dr. Fitsum Assefa,
• Honorable State Minister, Mr. Seyoum Mekonen,
• Executive Secretary, UNFCCC, Mr. Simon Stiell,
• Excellency Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the African Union,
• Excellencies Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of the Partner Countries of the African Union,
• Colleagues from the African Union Commission,
• Distinguished Guests,
• Members of Media Houses,
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

Theme: “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – End the Exploitation”

On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the African Union stands in solemn solidarity with all survivors of human trafficking and in unwavering determination to end this grave violation of human dignity. We join the global community in condemning one of the most devastating crimes of our times.

Theme: Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 through inclusive growth and partnerships, social protection, and decent jobs

July 23, 2025

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is a profound honor to address this esteemed Forum at a moment that demands more than reflection but calls for our collective resolve. I bring you warm greetings from Addis Ababa, from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and on my own behalf.

Statement of the AUC Deputy Chairperson H.E Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi at the High-Level Side Event on “A Sustainable Ocean Economy for People, Planet, and Prosperity: The Role of Policy and Institutional Coherence”.

Co-organised by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD), in partnership with Malta, African and OECD countries
African Union Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York
22 July 2025 from 1:00 pm-2:30 (EDT)