In his celebratory address, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that Africa has enormous potential due to its young and growing population, its abundant natural resources, its “breathtaking” beauty and cultural variety. At the same time, he underscored the need to continue to help the continent in its fight against climate change, conflict, hunger, extremism and other problems. The foundation for this holiday was made back in 1958, when the First Conference of Independent African States was held in the capital of Ghana, Accra, with the participation of representatives of eight countries.
It formulated a framework and strategy for reinvigorating the decolonization process in the rest of Africa and called for the establishment of African Freedom Day. Five years later, on May 25, 1963, in Ethiopia, the heads of 32 independent states took part in a conference that resulted in the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU). It declared its objectives to be strengthening the unity and solidarity of African states, improving living conditions, protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty, the final elimination of colonialism, etc.
At the same time, African Freedom Day was declared African Liberation Day, the celebration of which was scheduled for May 25. In 2002, the holiday was again renamed by the AU and received its modern name. The main initial goals of establishing this holiday were to draw attention to the .
