Ashraf AboArafe
Dear Dr. Tidiane Ouattara,
Dear Dr. Sherif Sedky,
Esteemed members of the African Space Council,
Dear colleagues,
On behalf of the Russian Federation, please allow me to extend heartfelt congratulations to the organizers and participants of the African Space Agency inauguration ceremony on the occasion of this truly historic achievement!
Today, Africa is rapidly increasing its involvement in space exploration, successfully advancing towards implementation of the comprehensive African space program that would benefit the social, economic, political, and environmental needs of the continent.
As the pioneer in space exploration, Russia proudly carries on traditions of national cosmonautics – we construct new spaceports, rockets and satellites while expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with all constructively minded partners.
It is our deepest interest to see Africa joining space exploration efforts, and we are ready to offer comprehensive support to our friends.
During the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on November 9–10, 2024, the joint statement on important issues of peaceful use and exploration of outer space was adopted. It stipulates the need to preserve space as an exclusively peaceful environment, accessible for exploration on an equal and non-discriminatory basis by all interested states, regardless of their level of economic development.
That said, training of personnel could be a good example of promising areas where Russia and Africa could collaborate. It is the younger generation that soon will discover new frontiers and expand the horizons of human activity to distant planets. For this reason, leading Russian universities, including those that are part of the “Roscosmos Constellation,” can offer African students the opportunity to receive education in the fields highly needed in the global space industry.
For many years, Russia and African nations have been cooperating on space-related issues within the framework of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. We are united by a commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, such as the equality of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and respect for the right of peoples to determine their own destiny, as well as their own models of political, social and economic development.
It is my strong belief that when it comes to space, just like many other fields, Russia and Africa have a shared future, and we must ensure that it will be as bright as possible. I believe today’s milestone is a perfect example that we are heading the right way together.
Thank you!
to all.. 
