Excellencies, Ambassadors of the African Union Member States
Excellencies, Ambassadors the Member States of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP),
Excellency Deputy Executive Secretary of UNECA,
Excellency UNESCO Representative,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.

Bom dia é bem-vindo à Comissão da União Africana

It is a true honor for me to address you today on the occasion of the Portuguese Language Day. One of the six working languages of the African Union.

On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and on my own behalf, I extend our warm greetings and express our sincere appreciation to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) for the kind invitation to join this celebration.

Today, we celebrate something that unites us beyond borders, across oceans, and above cultural differences: the Portuguese language.

It is a celebration of a vibrant global community that speaks, preserves, and enriches it. Portuguese is a vessel of a shared history, diverse culture, and enduring solidarity that spans continents—from Lisboa to Luanda, Brasília to Maputo, Dili to Bissau, Macau to the beautiful islands of Cabo Verde and São Tomé é Príncipe. It is a language that married Africa’s rich heritage to give birth to poetry, music, literature, and storytelling, reflecting the unique nuances of the nations that has it as their official language.

Excellencies,
As you know, since 1984, Portuguese has been one of the Working Languages of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the African Union. As a multilingual and multicultural institution, the AU continues to promote the use and learning of Portuguese, with the invaluable support of Instituto Camões.

In 2010, the Directorate for Conference Management and Publications introduced an electronic system to streamline translation services. Since then, more than 200,000 pages of official documents have been translated into Portuguese—an achievement that underscores our commitment to linguistic inclusion.

In a continued effort to strengthen cultural and linguistic ties between the African nations, and in collaboration with the esteemed Instituto Camões, the Human Resources Management Department successfully launched an intensive eight-week Portuguese language course. Running from 16 March to 11 June 2025. The course which was launch using the AU e-learning platform, saw the active participation of twenty-one staff members.

This initiative reflects our shared commitment to professional development and the promotion of the Portuguese language as a bridge for communication and mutual understanding.
It marks not an end, but the beginning of greater engagement with the Portuguese language in professional and cultural contexts.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
As enshrined in Agenda 2063, the African Union embraces Africa’s diversity as a strength. Language is a core element of identity, inclusion, and participation. In this spirit, the AU and CPLP share a strong commitment to promoting linguistic and cultural diversity as drivers of unity and development.

Today also marks an opportunity to reaffirm the close ties between the African Union and Portuguese-speaking countries, both on the continent and beyond, especially those home to the Diaspora of African descent.
These relationships are reflected in our diplomatic engagements, economic cooperation, and joint efforts toward peace, sustainable development, and global solidarity.

Looking ahead, we must continue to leverage language as a bridge between communities and institutions. Investment in multilingual education, translation, and inclusive digital platforms will ensure that all our working languages, including Portuguese, remain accessible and empowering for future generations.

In conclusion, let us celebrate the power of language to connect people, acknowledge our collective heritage, and inspire progress. May this day remind us of the strength found in unity through diversity.

Parabéns a todos neste Dia da Língua Portuguesa!

Congratulations to all on this Portuguese Language Day! Muito obrigada!