According to the head of state, the festive period is not only to celebrate, but also to evaluate the year that has passed and look forward to the new year that is coming: "We have reached the time of year when families and friends get together, not only to to celebrate and share gifts, but also to make a retrospective analysis of what the year that ended was like and look at what good the new year can bring us, in our personal, social, professional and business lives".
"The year 2024 was marked by a series of events that shaped us as a Nation and showed, once again, our ability to face adversity and move forward with determination," he added.
For the President of the Republic, year after year everything has been done to "provide the Angolan people with better living conditions".
"Year after year, we have done everything to provide the Angolan people with better living conditions, with access to food, drinking water, electricity, health, housing, basic and higher education and employment", he considered.
According to the head of state, the Government's "big bet" "has been on sustainable economic development, progressively reducing dependence on oil and increasing the focus on agriculture, especially family farming, agri-business, industry, innovation technology and the creation of a competitive and attractive business environment for foreign investment".
"With profound fiscal reforms and the promotion of economic diversification, we began to see clear signs of recovery, and it was found that agriculture, industry and renewable energy proved to be fundamental pillars for our sustainable development", said João Lourenço, adding that the interest is, above all, "that these actions contribute, in fact, to the constant improvement of citizens' living conditions, to the reduction of inequalities and social inclusion, to the protection of the most fragile and disadvantaged, children, women, the elderly, the sick and the disabled".
Thus, he said that the "fight against poverty, unemployment and social inequality continues to be a priority", pointing out that the "social inclusion program had a direct impact on the most vulnerable communities and several measures were adopted to improve access to health, education and basic services throughout the national territory".
"For all these purposes to be effectively and lastingly realized, the active and civic participation of all citizens is essential, especially youth, strength and guarantee of the future, and women, who have always had and continue to gain a prominent role in our society," he said.
In his message he also highlighted the country's sporting achievements.
"Our young people are placing our sport at a level that attracts attention and deserves recognition from our continent and the world", he highlighted, adding: "All modalities are growing, producing champions, who already have a respectable number of cups and of medals from the international competitions in which they participate".
According to the President of the Republic, "this date appeals above all to renewing hopes and strengthening ties between all Angolans, reinforcing hard-won peace and national unity".
He also highlighted the fact that within a few days the year in which the country marks 50 years of independence arrives: "Within a few days we will enter 2025, the year in which Angola and Angolans celebrate 50 years of our National Independence, an event of significant importance in our history of struggle against colonization, slavery and foreign domination, in our history of building a sovereign, free and independent country".
João Lourenço also wished Angolans a happy festive season: "I wish all the Angolan people a happy festive season and that the new year brings the realization of many postponed dreams".
Telephone conversation with Presidents of Ukraine and Mauritania
Last Tuesday, in addition to addressing the message to the Nation, the President of the Republic also held telephone conversations with the presidents of Ukraine and Mauritania.
According to a note from the Presidency of the Republic, to which VerAngola had access, the conversation with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, "dealt with the military conflict prevailing in that country".
In another phone call, the Head of State spoke with the President of the Republic of Mauritania and acting president of the African Union, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
"The two statesmen made a concertation, taking into account the status of President of the African Union of Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and First Vice-President of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union, which President João Lourenço holds", points out another note from the Presidency of the Republic, to which VerAngola had access.
João Lourenço also took advantage of the telephone call to "inform the acting president of the African Union about the current status of the Luanda Process, which seeks ways to restore peace in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo".
After these actions, the head of state will 'enter the scene' again this Friday, to guide the 12th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers.
