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UNITED NATIONS Ryan Shazier Steelers Jersey , May 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday marked Africa Day, saying "Africa continues to make steady economic, social and political progress."


In his message to mark Africa Day, which falls on May 25, the secretary-general underscored the achievements of the continent and reflected on the challenges for this year.


"Each year, Africa Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate Africa's achievements and to reflect on its challenges," Ban said.


The dominant story of the year has been the Ebola crisis that swept West Africa Maurkice Pouncey Steelers Jersey , claiming at least 11,000 lives and threatening hard-won social, economic and political achievements, he said. " With great courage and determination, and with the generous support of African nations and the international community, the affected countries have made remarkable progress toward ending the outbreak."


"Now, we have to intensify efforts to 'get to zero and stay at zero' cases Cameron Heyward Steelers Jersey , repair the damage, and strengthen social and institutional resilience throughout the continent," Ban said, adding that he will convene an International Ebola Recovery Conference at the United Nations in New York in July to help mobilize support for this important task.


"Africa continues to make steady economic, social and political progress," the secretary-general said. "Overall, the continent's economy grew by roughly 4 percent in 2014 Ben Roethlisberger Steelers Jersey , creating one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted positive economic expansion in Africa's history."


According to him, a growing number of Africans have joined the middle class each year. And with investment in education, health and infrastructure increasing, "the prospects for much of Africa are bright."


The challenge, however, is to spread these benefits more broadly and deeply in Africa, particularly to women and girls who represent the continent's future Terry Bradshaw Steelers Jersey , said the UN chief.


"If we empower women, we help build better, more equal and more prosperous societies," he said. "I commend the commitment of the African Union to gender equality and the empowerment of women as part of its Agenda 2063, and I welcome the declaration of 2015 as the year of women's empowerment in Africa."


"Africa leads the world in female representation in Parliaments, and the continent has one of the highest rates of female entrepreneurship," Ban said. "Let us be inspired by these successes and intensify efforts to provide Africa's women with better access to education JuJu Smith-Schuster Steelers Jersey , work and healthcare, and by doing so, accelerate Africa's transformation."