To the Heads of State and Government of African Countries
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Africa Day.
This year is marked by significant anniversaries—the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the founding of the United Nations, and the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
The defeat of Nazism and the collapse of the colonial system were defining events of the 20th century and opened the way for free and peaceful development for all of humanity.
Over the past decades, independent African states have become influential members of the global community and have achieved widely recognized accomplishments in economic and social spheres.
Multilateral cooperation within the framework of the African Union and subregional structures contributes to strengthening security and stability on the continent.
Our country consistently advocates for expanding traditional friendly relations with African partners. This commitment was clearly reflected in the two “Russia–Africa” summits held in 2019 and 2023, which helped define new areas of cooperation and contributed to the coordination of efforts in international affairs.
A new dialogue format—the Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum—is also yielding positive results. The next session is scheduled to be held in one of the African countries before the end of the year.
I am confident that through joint efforts, we will continue to strengthen the multifaceted Russian–African ties for the benefit of our peoples and in pursuit of a just and democratic multipolar world order.
I wish you good health and success, and peace and prosperity to the citizens of your countries.
Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Moscow, May 25, 2025
