Nairobi: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri delivered Tunisia's address on Tuesday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi during the plenary session on peace and security, held as part of the Africa-France Summit 'Africa Forward.' At the beginning of her speech, she conveyed the greetings of Tunisian President Kas Saed to Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, along with his sincere wishes for the success of the summit, according to a statement from the Prime Ministry.
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the Prime Minister highlighted that the summit is taking place amidst a complex global landscape characterized by intersecting and overlapping crises, including an unprecedented escalation of armed conflicts, worsening humanitarian crises, and growing instability and uncertainty. She noted that these challenges are compounded by rapid geopolitical shifts, changes in the international power balance, and rising protectionist trends that threaten international cooperation.
Prime Minister Zenzri emphasized that Tunisia remains committed to international law and believes that peace should be built on justice, fairness, and respect for state sovereignty. She reaffirmed Tunisia's dedication to the United Nations and the principles of the UN Charter, while calling for urgent reforms in the multilateral system, including the UN Security Council, to reflect current global changes and address development finance needs.
The Prime Minister also focused on the importance of addressing illicitly acquired funds and called for a binding international framework to accelerate their recovery. She stressed that these funds are critical for the future of generations and emphasized the interconnectedness of peace, security, and stability with development issues.
Highlighting the principle of 'African solutions to African problems,' Prime Minister Zenzri called for international support for African Union-led peace operations. She noted that Africa's challenges are deeply rooted in issues like marginalization, poverty, and vulnerability, which lead to broader crises including violence, extremism, and human trafficking.
The Prime Minister called for international partnerships based on new principles of reciprocity, mutual respect, and shared interests, moving away from traditional cooperation models. She noted that Tunisia values its African, Arab, and Mediterranean identity and is committed to building long-term partnerships across Africa in sectors such as construction, public works, health, education, and information technology.
In anticipation of the Tunisia Investment Forum scheduled for June 2026, the Prime Minister expressed hopes for strong participation, emphasizing Tunisia's attractiveness as an investment destination. The forum will showcase major projects in renewable energy, digital technology, and other key sectors, aiming to foster fruitful partnerships.
Concluding her address, Prime Minister Zenzri underscored the critical juncture the world faces between continuing current practices or engaging in reform to establish a more just and balanced international system. She called for concrete decisions and bold reforms in North-South cooperation to ensure global stability and a dignified life for all, expressing hope for practical outcomes from the summit to meet African aspirations for progress and prosperity.