• Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President
• Carmelo Sanz de Barros, President of the Senate
• Christian Gakwaya, President of the Rwanda Automobile Club
• FIA Members
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning to you all. I welcome you all to Rwanda.

We are very happy to have you with us.

I want to thank the FIA, under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, for choosing our country as the venue for this meeting, as you mark your 120^th anniversary.

We are particularly honoured to host the prize-giving ceremony later this evening.

For the very first time, the FIA General Assembly is being held in Africa.

This is an important milestone, which signals the goal of the motorsport industry to connect directly with fans and aspiring drivers in Africa.

All over the world, motorsport is recognized for its elite performance, focus on safety, and cutting-edge technology.

Behind these high standards, is the stewardship and governance of FIA and its member organizations, which guide the future of racing.

I would like to commend FIA’s sustainability initiatives.

Formula E is a good example, where we are seeing the development of electric vehicle technology.

In Rwanda, we are pleased to be working closely with the Federation to develop a cross-car manufacturing facility.

With the FIA’s blueprint, students from Rwanda Polytechnic produced a low-cost prototype, the first of its kind, which I was happy to see last night.

This highlights the importance of a skilled workforce to unlock more career pathways in motorsport in Africa, such as engineering and design.

In a world where various forces are pushing us apart, the values of sportsmanship should bring us closer together.

It all comes down to respect, and giving everyone the chance to contribute, where they can.

That’s why it is so important for countries in every region, and at every income level, to have a fair shot at hosting international sporting events.

Sometimes, when a non-traditional host country is announced, it is as if we did something wrong, if you judge by especially the media reaction.

These attitudes have to be left in the past, and the role of sports governing bodies is absolutely central.

In the coming years, Africa’s sports economy is expected to grow at a rate of 8 percent.

It is easy, therefore, to make the case, that Africa will contribute more and more value to the business of sports, including the search for talent.

I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa, by hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

A big thank you to Stefano Domenicali, and the entire team at Formula 1, for the good progress in our discussions so far.

I assure you that we are approaching this opportunity with the seriousness and commitment, which it deserves.

Together, we will build something we can all be proud of.

In Rwanda, we have made significant investments in sports infrastructure.

The BK Arena, where NBA Basketball Africa League Finals have been held, or the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium, and the future Zaria Courts complex developed by Masai Ujiri, are a few examples.

Our philosophy has always been to make the most of our available resources.

We understand that sports is not just about buildings or events, but requires an entire ecosystem to cultivate talent and excite fans.

This has real and tangible impact, not only on our economy, but also for our people.

For every hotel, recreation facility, or restaurant that gets built, new jobs are created.

Rwanda is ready, and we want to welcome even more fans and visitors, while aiming for the highest quality standards in everything we do.

We ask for your engagement and partnership.

Once again, I thank you for bringing the General Assembly to Rwanda, and I wish you a very productive meeting.

Thank you for your kind attention.