Initiated by the group of African ambassadors and heads of African diplomatic missions in Kuala Lumpur, the Africa Day was celebrated this year under the theme "Building resilience in nutrition and food security in the African continent."

On this occasion, Somalia's ambassador to Malaysia and dean of African heads of mission in Malaysia, Abukar Abdi Osman, said that Africa today is a forward-moving continent, and that Africans are "determined to ensure the development of their countries" through the promotion of peace, security and good governance.

The Somali diplomat also shed light on the African Union's efforts to stem the COVID-19 pandemic and support national economies against the aftermath of this scourge.

Africa has long-standing ties with Malaysia through intensified political engagement, exchanges of high-level visits, support for candidatures to international organizations, and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding in various areas of cooperation, he said.

Much could still be done to strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and Africa, especially in the areas of food security, health, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and new information and communication technologies, he added.

For his part, the Minister for Economic Affairs to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mustapa Mohamed, stressed that Africa is a continent built on diversity with which Malaysia has longstanding ties of friendship.

Malaysia has marked an important presence in a number of African countries, said the Malaysian official, regretting however the decrease of this presence over time. In this regard, he emphasized Malaysia's commitment to forge closer ties with all African countries.

The celebration of Africa Day in Kuala Lumpur was marked in particular by the presentation of the gastronomy and music of the various member countries of the African group.

Morocco has contributed to this celebration through a stand highlighting the richness of national crafts, which has been the subject of great excitement.

The celebration of World Africa Day, date marking the 59th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), May 25, 1963, symbolizes the struggle of African states to ensure progress and economic emergence to their people.