Guest of Honor Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah, (3rd right), Deputy Dean of Diplomatic Corps who is also Ambassador of Somalia to Kuwait HE Abdulqadir Amin Sheikh Abubakar (2nd from right wearing a white cap) cutting a cake to officially open the Africa Day festivities
The Embassy of the Republic of Malawi to the State of Kuwait on 18th May, 2017, was among 30 African Embassies that participated at this year’s Africa Day celebration event that was held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Kuwait. The event attracted a large number of patrons including Kuwait nationals, diplomats, and expatriates especially those from Africa and from Europe, America and Asia.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah who was the Guest of Honor, said Kuwait cherishes its relations with the African continent and it greatly appreciates the support it receives from African countries and added that “we are counting on the support of our African friends while bidding for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council next month.”
He then re-affirmed his government’s keenness to cementing cooperation with African countries in all spheres and help the continent make good use of its rich resources by supporting African countries in their social and economic development by financing infrastructural development projects through loans provided by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
The Deputy Minister also emphasized on the importance that Kuwait attaches to the fight against religious extremism and disclosed that Kuwait supports the initiative by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United of America on the establishment of the global counter-extremism center, aimed at combating violent religious extremism and misleading ideologies.
The Deputy Dean of Diplomatic Corps, who is also Ambassador of Somalia to Kuwait, His Excellency Abdulqadir Amin Sheikh Abubakar in his welcome remarks to the patron of the event appreciated the support that the State of Kuwait continues to extend to Africa towards her social and economic development by underscored Africa’s progressive steps in many areas including fight against terrorism and extremism in an effort to achieve lasting peace, integration and sustainable development.
He paid tribute to the former Ambassadors of Sierra Leone and Liberia to Kuwait who died in the year, saying the African Diplomatic Community had lost two good friends, to which occasion he asked all to observe a minute of silence in honor of the deceased Ambassadors.
Africa Day, which is also known as Africa Freedom or Liberation Day, is an annual commemoration of the 1963 founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), presently known as the African Union (AU), put in place to acknowledge the progress that Africa has made while reflecting upon the common challenges the continent still faces in a global environment.
African countries use the day to showcase Africa’s hospitality, unity, cultural diversity and traditions. It is also used to celebrate peace and prosperity that Africa has achieved since independence.
The initial purpose of the day was to annually mark the progress of liberation movements and symbolize the determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. It is also gives as opportunity to showcase achievements Africa has realized politically, socially and economically and reflect upon common challenges the continent faces in a global environment.
The Malawi Embassy, led by His Excellency Wilfred ALI, Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to the State of Kuwait, displayed various tourism and cultural artifacts, agricultural products such as tea, coffee, sugar beans, rice, chili and ground nuts from Malawi
H.E. Ambassador ALI showing Malawian products to the guest of Honor Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah
H.E. Ambassador ALI, Madam ALI and some of the Embassy staff at the Malawi Pavilion
Many patrons who visited the Malawi pavilion received tourism brochures, and accessed various forms of information on Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa, which is an attractive destination for investment and tourism, with pristine beaches, rich culture and very friendly and welcoming people.
Some patrons showed a lot of interest in getting more information into how to purchase Malawian agricultural products especially beans, tea and coffee.
The Malawi Embassy pavilion was one of the most outstanding and well stocked thereby attracting over a hundred visitors.
