Kampala, July 28, 2010 (NAN) President Goodluck Jonathan in Kampala called on member-states of the African Union to implement the ``far-reaching decisions’’ taken at the summit.
Delivering the vote of thanks to close the 15th Summit of the African Union on Tuesday, Jonathan said the summit was rewarding.
He said that decisions around the theme of the summit, ``Maternal, Infant and Child Health Development in Africa’’ were particularly inspiring.
``It has been inspiring to hear the commitment of colleagues across the continent on these fundamental and common challenges,’’ he said.
Jonathan said the summit succinctly deliberated on the constraints of resources to executing articulated programmes of the union as well as the failure of some development partners to redeem their pledges of support.
He, however, called on member-states not to relent in their efforts at implementing the decisions of the summit.
``These commitments are central to the achievement of the MDGs by 2015 which we will be gathering to assess at the UN General Assembly in September this year,’’ he said.
He expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni and the people of Uganda for their warm hospitality and the excellent facilities provided.
Jonathan noted that his first outing to the summit as the president of Nigeria was rewarding and fulfilling.
He said he had been able to establish personal contacts and rapport with many of his colleagues at the summit.
``It is a great privilege and honor to move the vote of thanks as the newest member of this family in accordance with our tradition.
``The memory of our stay here will continue to be with us.
``I look forward to deepening the relationships established in the months ahead as we face our national and global challenges together,’’ he said.
Jonathan thanked the Chairperson of the AU, President Bingu Wa Muthaarika of Malawi, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Jean Ping, the commissioners and the secretariat.
He also thanked the Guest of Honour and Mexican President, Felipe De Jesus Calderon, representatives of the UN, the Arab League and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, among others. (NAN)
ROT/MVO/HKO