Solidarity Message by Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre at the Pan-African Parliament

The Chief Executive Officer of the APRM Continental Secretariat, Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, on Monday delivered a stirring solidarity message during the opening ceremony of the Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament.

Amb. Rose-Quatre expressed her profound honor to speak in a venue symbolic of Africa's democratic journey. She acknowledged the extraordinary efforts and struggles that have shaped the continent's commitment to democracy, freedom, and justice and emphasized the shared vision and ideals rooted in the African Union's values of good governance, peace, security, and stability.

She highlighted the essence of collaboration between various African institutions and noted that the Pan-African Parliament plays a critical role in promoting and advancing democracy and good governance across the continent. As the elected representatives of the African people, the Parliament has the noble task of being the voice of the voiceless, ensuring their participation in discussions and decisions on continental challenges.

Reflecting on her new role as CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, Amb. Rose-Quatre underscored the importance of the Pan-African Parliament's mission and emphasized the Parliament's representational role in responding to public pressure for greater involvement, accountability, and better service delivery. She expressed her earnest conviction that the Pan-African Parliament will continue to be an action-oriented institution dedicated to the continent's interests, beyond political differences.

She emphasized the importance of solidarity and collaboration among African institutions and highlighted the ongoing partnership between the APRM and the Pan-African Parliament, which has facilitated significant progress in areas such as governance, conflict prevention, and the empowerment of women and youth. She expressed her hope for continued cooperation to meet the aspirations of African people and leaders.

Amb. Rose-Quatre also addressed the significance of the African Union's 2024 theme, focused on building resilient education systems for inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa. She underscored the importance of education as a tool for development, influence, and empowerment, quoting Nelson Mandela's famous words: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Looking towards the future, Amb. Rose-Quatre highlighted the demographic challenges and opportunities facing Africa. By 2050, Africa's population is projected to exceed 2.3 billion, with a significant proportion of young people and stressed the necessity of providing education and skills training to foster economic growth and shape the continent's future.

Amb. Rose-Quatre reaffirmed her commitment to actively collaborating with the Pan-African Parliament and other institutions to achieve continental priorities, including education, as embodied in the African Union's Agenda 2063. She assured the assembly of her unwavering support and dedication to the Pan-African Spirit, aiming to ensure the prosperity and well-being of all African citizens.

Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre’s solidarity message resonated deeply, emphasizing the importance of unity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to democracy, good governance, and education in Africa. Her address set a hopeful tone for the Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament, inspiring continued efforts towards a brighter future for the continent.