The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) today launches renovation of the historic Africa Hall found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia set to become major tourist destination with African history and heritages.
The renovation project aims to make the historic Africa Hall, which is the birth place of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU), a tourist destination showcasing Africa’s cultural heritages.
“The Africa Hall is first representation a representation of where the continent has come from, where it is now, and where it is headed to. But, more than that…it is an opportunity of economic diversification for Ethiopia and Africa as a whole,” said Antonio Pedro, Acting Executive Secretary of UNECA, who made a statement at the groundbreaking event this morning.
He stated that the modernization of Africa Hall will preserve and restore the historical and cultural values embedded in its architecture, and also enable Africa to tap into the global creative industry, which is estimated to reach $985 billion in 2025.
Mr. Antonio Pedro further noted that as the global value of international trade in the export of cultural goods stands at over $18 trillion, Africa renovating Africa Hall will have impact in boosting Africa’s earnings by attracting more tourists.
“Cultural heritage remains one of the main reasons for travel to major destinations, thus boosting the tourism economy,” Antoni Pedro said, stressing for Africans to make their history work for their economic development and prosperity.
Africa Hall was inaugurated in 1961 by Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia who dedicated the building to the “service of the African people”. The renovations of Africa Hall is financed by the UN, which approved close to $57 million. Africa Hall is known to house emblematic pieces of African art including the 150 square meter-stained glass window designed by world famous Maitre Afewerk Tekle of Ethiopia.
Currently Africa Hall is part of the UNECA and other UN agencies.
“This place is the birth place of African diplomacy,’ said Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who stated that Africa Hall is a reminder to the new generation how far Africa has gone to reach where it is now.
The representative of Ethiopia, Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, the state minister for Political and Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated Africa Hall is a symbol of multilateralism, that links the African Union, UN agencies, and the Government of Ethiopia altogether.
Ambassador Tesfaye also stressed Ethiopia’s commitment and support for promoting African causes mentioning as an example free of charge provision of additional plot of land by the Government of Ethiopia for parking purpose for visitors of the historic Africa Hall. The modernization and rennovation of Africa Hall is expected to be completed within two years period, according to Mr. Carlos Haddad, Dirtector of the project.