On behalf of the Mexican government, the Foreign Ministry congratulates the peoples and governments of Africa on Africa Day 2017, which marks the 54th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the African Union (AU), on May 25, 1963.

Mexico, which has diplomatic relations with 54 members of the African Union, renews its commitment to deepen and expand its political dialogue, cooperation and economic ties with the African countries.  As Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto said on January 23 in reference to Mexico's foreign policy, "In Africa our goal will be to increase and consolidate Mexico's political presence, our trade and our joint cooperation projects In the different subregions."

The Mexican government would like to echo the words of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Africa Day, who stressed that all of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa.

Mexico also agrees on how important it is to engage young Africans in shaping their future, for which it is essential to invest in their education, training and the creation of decent jobs, in line with the 2017 AU theme: "Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in youth." More than three out of five Africans are under the age of 35.

Mexico has witnessed with deep interest the structural transformations and the progress made in peacebuilding, integration and development in Africa, in which the AU has played a key role and for which the Heads of State and Government of Africa adopted the African Union’s 2063 Agenda in January 2015. The agenda is an action plan that complements the the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mexico has been an AU Observer since October 20, 2005, and attends the meetings of its Executive Council and Assembly. Currently, Mexico's ambassador to Ethiopia--where the AU is based-- Victor Manuel Treviño Escudero, serves as Permanent Observer.