Speech of The Day (112): On Visit to Chilalo Agricultural Unit

Important Utterances of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I - page 307 -

Speech of The Day (111): INAUGURATING THE 15TH PUGWASH CONFERENCE

INAUGURATING THE 15TH PUGWASH CONFERENCE

We and the Ethiopian people are honoured to welcome

to our country this most distinguished gathering of eminent

scholars and scientists. The occasion is of especial signific-

ance to Us since We respect and earnestly seek to support in

all Our actions the very principles which have brought you

together here from diverse nations and political creeds

vigorously and openly to discuss with one another some of

the major problems of our time. We are pleased, indeed,

that the University and the Foundation which bear Our

name, have been able in some measure to further the noble

work and ideals of the great men whose efforts led to the

creation of this extraordinary series of Conferences on

Science and World Affairs. We must acknowledge once

more Our sincere admiration for Lord Bertrand Russell,

whose indomitable courage and profound moral and scientific

teachings have left an indelible mark on the history of

our times, and whose spirit infuses and enlivens the discus-

sions which take place under the aegis of these Conferences.

It was, of course, inevitable that Pugwash should one

day come to Africa; nor could a more appropriate location

have been found for the first of these Conferences ever to

be held on African soil. For it was in this very room that

the unity of Africa first took form and substance less than

three years ago with the establishment of the Organization of

African Unity. The location is appropriate, not merely because

this room and building are in some ways symbolic of

the common hopes and aspirations of all the free peoples of

this continent, but also because the fundamental principles

which Africans have espoused in so joining together appear

to Us to be closely linked with those which underlie the

Pugwash Conferences.

These Conferences arose out of the belief that there

were certain problems facing the world today; problems of

such vital importance to mankind that there was great need

to discuss them freely without reference to conflicting moral

or political ideologies; problems indeed of such magnitude,

such universal importance, that common ground of agree-

ment must and could be found and common proposals for

their solution could arise through the process of objective

observation and analysis in which scientists are trained.

Free Communication Needed

Africans, too, have recognized the imperative that there

must be, for the sake of their common welfare, some means

for the free communication and exchange of ideas in an at- 

mosphere untainted by extraneous political considerations.

We may not consciously have sought the “scientific” way to

deal with Our problems, but we have recognized and continue

to maintain Our belief in the necessity for an objective approach

to the difficulties which we share.

In these hours of crisis and tension across the world, no

nation, however willing, can hold itself apart from the

encroachment of political and nationalistic forces. Nonetheless,

it remains clear beyond doubt that the interests and

concerns shared by the developing nations cover a vast

expanse demanding exploration, but as yet scarcely known

to exist.

Thus, the subject matter of this, the fifteenth of the

Pugwash Conferences, is vital, timely and potentially of far-

reaching importance. The developing world now includes

the greater part of the human race; thence it is essential

that the hopes, the aspirations, and the necessities of its

peoples be carefully evaluated and understood.

Progress in this world had been possible only through

the consistent application of knowledge which was amassed

by you scientists and your predecessors during the past

centuries. One need look no farther than the wonders of

Axum and Lallibela to realize that this continent in which

you are now assembled did, at one time, share the benefits

of science and technology.

However, all of you here, trained, and excellent, in the

application of your minds to the true understanding and

betterment of the world, are now confronted with what has

been termed the “revolution of rising expectations.” Ultimately,

this is a revolution which can be peacefully accomplished

only through an unselfish cooperation among nations.

Yet we cannot postpone the needs, the hopes, the aspirations

of our peoples indefinitely.

Little Spent For Development

To be sure, there exists throughout the world a sense

that something must be done, and, as well, a belief that all

that should be done is being done. But in terms of the

enormous resources squandered in wars or in the amassing

of weapons of destruction or even devoted to the enthralling

conquest of space, the amount which has been allotted to

bettering the existence of the individual in the developing

world is little indeed.

Poverty, fear, ignorance, disease are not problems van-

quished in the wake of scientific progress; they are the pro-

blems with which we struggle from day to day.

All these problems will surely not be solved by the present

Conference. But, it is Our earnest conviction that, at

the very least, the forthright exchange of ideas and impress-

sions concerning them will occur here.

In a world made strong and prosperous through the

force of man’s intellect, it is a further challenge to that

intellect that science be charged to solve the unique problems

of development; for all mankind must share in the better

life which progress has made possible.

It is this challenge which must triumph over the evils

that plague our peoples; which must temper and reduce the

racial, political and religious differences among them; which

must bring to them the peace required for the better world

which you seek to create.

It is this challenge which must be the impetus and the

inspiration of your deliberations here.

Dec. 29, 1965.

Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 105 –

Translation and information in German

Proceedings of the Fifteenth Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs; Scienc in Aid of Develping Countries, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 29, 1965-January 3, 1966. [Paperback] 

Speech of The Day (110): Inauguration of the 1st Session of The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, On

Monday, December 29, 1958, inaugurated the

1st Session of the United Nations Economic

Commission for Africa with the following Speech

"It is with great pleasure that We, on behalf of

Ourselves and Our beloved people, today extend Our

warmest greetings to the delegations of the Economic

Commission for Africa who have gathered here from all

over this great continent, and, in particular, to the

Honourable Dag Hammerskjoeld, Secretary General of

the United Nations, who is Our honoured guest on this

occasion. We welcome you all to Our capital.

The opening Session of the United Nations Economic

Commission for Africa is truly a most historic and

significant event for the great African continent. But

a short half-century, ago, only the' most far-sighted

individuals dared predict that within fifty years Africa

would have so far progressed along the path of political

and economic progress that a conference such as this,

where representatives of nine independent African

nations, as well as representatives of several other African

countries have gathered together in solemn conclave

to consider the common problems of Africa and the

African peoples, would be possible. And yet this has

come to pass, and today we are assembled here for

this very' purpose. Our heart overflows in the attainment

of this moment.

Only a few years ago, meetings to consider African

problems were held outside of Africa. and the fate of its

peoples were decided by non-Africans. Today, the

tradition of Berlin and Algeria has been repudiated,

and it is thanks to the Conference of Accra and now of

Addis Ababa that the peoples of Africa can, at long last,

deliberate on their own problems and future.

The political growth of the peoples of Africa, a

development which has come to fruition within the

life time of everyone of us here present, is one of the most

striking and extraordinary evolutions in the recorded

history of man. The political coming of age of the

African peoples is ample testimony that we are witnessing

the inauguration of a new and splendid period in this

continent's history. The number of African states

which now enjoy their independence is only nine, but

this number will grow in the future. In 1960, additional

states will emerge into the brilliant sun of freedom,

clear evidence that the political growth, which in a few

short years has transformed the status of so great a

number of the African peoples, has not yet finished, and

that it will not come to its end until the goal toward

which this movement has steadily and inexorably

progressed has been totally realized.

Political independence, however, is but one part of

the complex of problems which face the African peoples

in their struggles to achieve their rightful place in the

world. It is paradoxical that while Africa is potentially

the richest of the continents, large numbers of her people

still lead an existence that can only be regarded as substandard.

A major cause of this lag in Africa's economic

development has been the lack of education of her

peoples. Let us not be too proud to face these facts and

to recognize Africa's deficiencies and defects. Let us

face honestly and frankly the fact that by the standard of

the modern world, the African peoples today are poor,

Our poverty need not cover us with shame. Africa,

despite the predominantly agricultural basis of her

economy produces only a small percent of the world's

foodstuffs. Indeed, Africa produces scarcely enough

food to support her own peoples. The average wage of

the African worker compares unfavourably with that of

other areas of the world. The average African may,

if fate has smiled upon him, receive the minimum amount

of nourishment necessary for physical survival, but

rarely more.

Among the reasons for the poverty and hard life

of the African peoples must be numbered the fact that

heretofore most Africans have not enjoyed the freedom

which they are now attaining. In addition, the lack of

the capital essential to the development of their economies

and the shortage of technically qualified personnel have

severely limited Africa's capacity for economic growth.

But, just as we must not be too proud to recognize the

facts of Africa's economic situation as it exists today, so

we must not be cast down or discouraged by the magnitude

of the problems which face us. For Africa is potentially

rich. She has enormous deposits of raw

materials, and the total extent of her wealth is by no

means yet known. Africa produces large quantities

of several of the world's basic minerals and metals. She

produces large quantities of various agricultural products

such as palm oil and cocoa. The fertility of much of

her land is potentially high in the extreme. A tremendous

potential for the production of hydroelectric

power and the irrigation of her land is found in the lakes

and rivers of this great continent.

The vista that opens before the Economic Commission

for Africa is fulfilling the weighty responsibilities

laid upon it by the United Nations General Assembly which

is vast. The tasks are immense. Much labour and toil

will be demanded, not only from those who will constitute

the permanent organization, but also from the

governments of all countries and territories in fulfilling

the commitments and discharging the responsibilities

resting upon its members and associate members.

The economies of the African states have too long

existed as separate, self-contained, isolated entities.

African countries have for too long been forced to nurse

their own economies and puzzle out their complicated

problems by themselves or else have them handled

hap-hazardly for them by others. We are all only

too well acquainted with the difficulties and barriers

that the African peoples have had to overcome in coming

together to deliberate on matters of common interest.

But it is impossible to believe that individual countries,

working alone and isolated from their neighbours, can

ever achieve their objectives, and the African peoples

must therefore work and cooperate together if the economic

development of this continent is to be furthered.

The Ethiopian people in particular, long isolated

socially and geographically, have had to plough a lonely

furrow in many fields of economic endeavour, lacking

the right and the facility to draw upon the experience

and knowledge of others who were attempting to solve

almost identical problems. Now, however, as almost

every paragraph in the charter of this Commission

emphasizes; the goal on which Our eyes have always

been fixed as a primary goal for Our people - the

raising of their standard of living - has become the

declared objective of the Governments of the member

states whose representatives are gathered here today, to

be sought, in every way, by concerted action. Concerted

action, cooperation, coordinated policies - these

honourable delegates, -are not just words, but great and

noble conceptions. In them and in what they stand for,

can be found the key for fulfilment of the longings

and the hopes of millions of Africans.

Our task, the task of all gathered here and of those

Other African countries who are not numbered among

the representatives at this first session of the Economic

Commission for Africa, is to improve the economic lot

Of All African peoples, to raise them to a standard of

living comparable to that enjoyed in the most highly-

developed regions of the world today. This is a task and

a challenge which must be met. And because this

touches all of us, all must labour and work for success in

this endeavour.

When the commission comes to consider specific

problems in the course of its deliberations, We ardently

hope that it will give serious consideration to finding

ways and means of extending immediate economic

assistance not only to all African nations which are in

need of such aid, but as well to those territories which

are on the threshold of independence. It must constantly

be borne in mind that the economic problems of some

of the younger African states and of those areas

which are on the verge of statehood are most pressing

and serious. The United Nations Organization and the

older States are consequently, under a grave moral

obligation to alleviate the economic difficulties of these

young States and territories, and to help them found

their economic structure upon a firm basis that will

maintain and assure their political independence.

Political and economic progress should go hand in hand.

There are other grave and important matters to

which We trust the Commission will not fail to direct

its attention. Among these are the implications of the

involvement of African nations in regional preferential

trade agreements with nations of other continents. The

Commission could well take concrete steps to explore

the possibilities of establishing statistical methodology to

be employed in common by all member states. 
A programme of close co-operation between the Commission

and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organi-

sation to study the possibilities of increasing food produc-

tion in areas where people are under-nourished, and of

wiping out cattle disease, problems of great importance

to African countries whose economies are predominatly

agricultural, would fulfil a long-felt need.

In view of the great influence of public health

problems upon the ecconomic development of African

countries, the exploration and recommendation of

solutions to such problems by the Commission, in

collaboration with the World Health Organization,

would aid immeasurably in accelerating the tempo

of the economic development of the African continent.

All African countries depend on their export trade for

the taking of all necessary measures for the promotion,

stabilisation and diversification of exports of the ECA

member countries. The Commission should give serious

consideration to the prevalent transporation and Communications

problems which have a considerable influence

upon the development of all African countries, and seek

resolutely to find solutions to the difficulties which

perplex us all in these fields. Solving these problems would

contribute much towards the economic development

of Africa. In undertaking such a study due consideration

should be given to the desirability of establishing

closer connections between the various national transportation

systems thus encouraging closer economic

and commercial relations among member states.

It is appropriate that this gathering today is held

under the sponsorship of the United Nations. The

United Nations is a living and tangible testimony to the

value of cooperative efforts among all men to improve

their way of life and preserve peace. We believe that

the African peoples, too, can co-operate effectively for

the common good, for their own good and for that of all

men. But this requires single-mindedness and an

unswerving devotion to the cause of Africa and be

guided by the principle expressed in the Holy Scriptures

'Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself'.

Africa is not the first geographical area to be

embraced by a regional Economic Commission. This

we do not consider a disadvantage, since the experience

gained and the lessons learnt by its predecessors in

Europe, Latin America and Asia and the Far East can

be drawn upon. But many of the economic and social

problems are new, and the paths untrodded. In your

task of finding the answers and the way, honourable

delegates, not only the eyes of all Africa but of all the

world will be upon you. We, for Our part, pledge the

highest endeavours of Our Government and people in

aiding and speeding your work, not only for this meeting

of the Commission but for the efforts and objectives of

this organization in the years that are to come. May

Almighty God prosper that work, and grant that it may

be pursued in peace, in peace of mind and of circumstance,

unhindered by the fact or threat of war.

This land, of which you are the honoured guests

has known and suffered from the horrors and brutalities

of war. The threats of armed conflict, the obsession

with war and armed might are evils yet to be eradicated

from the minds of men. So long as they survive, progress

towards the high and noble objectives to which this

organization is dedicated will be handicapped and

enveloped in darkness. In the mobilization of economic

resources, in the search for ways to improve the lot of

man" whether African or not, the threat to peace stands

as a grim obstacle. The essential prerequisite for

economic and social contentment is world peace, and

without such contentment, the weeds of discontent

luxuriate, and threats to peace develop.

We pray that peace may be vouchsafed to all men,

that the labours of this Commission may even be conducted

in an atmosphere of harmony and cooperation."

Speeches delivered by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie Ist Emperor of Ethiopia on various occasions - page 99 -    & Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 192 –             

Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld greeting His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I. At centre back is Mr. Mekki Abbas, Executive Secretary of ECA.
29 December 1958 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

First Session of New UN Economic Commission for Africa Opens