Tunisia Reaffirms Commitment to International Law and Sustainable Partnerships at Africa-France Summit
Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri Reiterates Commitment to International Law and Sustainable Partnerships at Africa-France Summit
At the opening of the Africa-France Summit "Africa Forward," Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to respecting international law and building sustainable partnerships at the heart of the African continent.
She conveyed greetings from President of the Republic Kaïs Saïed to her counterparts, Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as her wishes for the successful conduct of the summit.
In her address delivered at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Zenzri emphasized that Tunisia considers that peace cannot be founded on unbalanced power relationships or selective application of international law, but on principles of justice and equity, respect for state sovereignty, independence of their decisions, and the rights of their peoples, particularly their right to self-determination.
She also highlighted Tunisia's commitment to the central role of the United Nations and the principles on which it was founded, considering that the UN remains the guarantor of international legitimacy and peaceful coexistence among peoples.
However, she stressed that reforming multilateralism has become an urgent necessity, given the significant changes taking place in the world.
In this context, she reiterated Tunisia's call to accelerate the reform of the UN Security Council and to refound the global financial architecture, making it more just, equitable, and inclusive, in order to meet the needs of states and fill the financing gap for development.
On another note, the Prime Minister pointed out that it is impossible to discuss development financing without addressing the issue of diverted funds, which she considers a sovereign right of peoples to which no concessions should be made. She called for the establishment of an effective and binding international framework to accelerate the restitution of these funds, as a guarantee of the rights of future generations and the preservation of national wealth.
She also reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to the principle of "African solutions to African challenges," emphasizing that the problems facing the continent cannot be reduced to military or security aspects, nor can they be treated independently of their deep-seated causes related to marginalization, poverty, and precariousness. These factors fuel economic and social crises, nourish violence and extremism, and facilitate human trafficking.
Proud of her African, Arab, and Mediterranean identity, Tunisia believes in its active role in strengthening ties between African, European, and other countries. In this regard, the Prime Minister emphasized that achieving development at the national level remains closely linked to a deeper international solidarity capable of responding to the requirements of just and balanced progress.
In this context, she recalled Tunisia's commitment to building durable partnerships in Africa, based on common investment and expertise transfer in several sectors, including construction and public works, as well as the export of high-value-added services in the fields of health, education, and information technology.
She also expressed hope for strong and constructive participation in the Tunis Investment Forum, scheduled for June 25-26. Tunisia, she said, is a preferred destination for investment at the African and international levels, thanks to a favorable business climate. Finally, she highlighted the great opportunities offered by strategic sectors such as renewable energies, digital technologies, mechanical and electrical industries, construction, and major infrastructure projects, hoping that this meeting would lead to constructive and durable partnerships.
