I wish to thank His Royal Highness, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for organizing the inaugural Saudi-African Summit, and for inviting us today.
Saudi Arabia and Africa are united by geographical proximity, as well as deep historical and cultural ties.
Under the leadership of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, the relations between Africa and Saudi Arabia are growing at a fast pace, and we appreciate this.
One good example is the support Africa received from Saudi Arabia as Chair of the G20, to obtain Covid vaccines at affordable prices.
Rwanda is also very pleased with the cooperation agreement signed yesterday between our two governments. We intend to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Oil Sustainability Program.
Severe economic and political difficulties remain on the horizon around the world. This only highlights the compelling need for us all to come together, bearing in mind the specific challenges occurring within our respective regions at this time.
The lessons, for Africa, are that we need to speed up our continental integration process in order to make our engagement with partners, like Saudi Arabia, even more productive.
The problems we are facing may seem insurmountable, but there are always solutions to be found and applied.
It is a question of mindset. We cannot remain stuck in the past, focused on differences and grievances. We must look forward, and shape the future we want for our people.
That is how we really wish to see the invitation to meet here, as an opportunity to collaborate and find solutions, and make the investments required to get results.
Time is not on our side, but together, we are much stronger.
Your Royal Highness, Excellencies, I thank you for your kind attention.