On 25 May, Africa Day was marked at UNESCO headquarters. On this occasion, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic addressed a special message to the Foreign Ministers of African countries, which the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Serbia to UNESCO distributed to the representatives of these countries.
"On the occasion of Africa Day, I take this opportunity to extend to you my most cordial greetings and congratulations. I am glad that this day is duly observed this year too, including in UNESCO, despite the ongoing crisis amid the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The Republic of Serbia strongly supports the activities carried out by UNESCO in African countries and its Priority Africa programme. In this context, we were very pleased to adopt a decision this year on the provision of financial support to the UNESCO Africa Week event, while maintaining our readiness for its realization as soon as the situation allowed that the event be held.

Africa Day coincides with the Day of Friendship with the Peoples of Africa, included by 2017 decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in the calendar of the most important days in the year in our country, marked every 25 May. To us, this day is above all a symbol of sincere desire to work dedicatedly to build and foster relations with Africa, on the basis of our traditional friendship dating as far back as the time of the SFRY.

The Republic of Serbia is firmly committed to the development of comprehensive cooperation with African countries, and the marking of the Day of Friendship with the Peoples of Africa has given additional impetus to expanding our relations with new content, in the context of which a special place certainly belongs to the fields of culture, education and other scopes within the responsibility of UNESCO. In this context, I would like to point out in particular the programme of scholarships for youth from African countries allowing them to study at universities in Serbia, which has been in progress for years now.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and of the fact that the Republic of Serbia has always been and will always be a true friend and partner of Africa, for cooperation in all fields, including those falling within the responsibility of UNESCO."