The President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has sent a message on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the founding of the General Union of Algerian Workers and the 52nd anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons. The message reads as follows:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, and peace and blessings be upon the noblest of Messengers…”
On the occasion of this dual anniversary marking the founding of the General Union of Algerian Workers on February 24, 1956, and the nationalization of hydrocarbons on February 24, 1971, we reflect on the significant historical events and national positions that fuel our willpower and determination to continue forging ahead in our pursuit of establishing a strong national state with a rich history and culture. We are committed to preserving the unity of our people in the face of the ever-changing regional and global landscape, and the challenges posed by hostile attempts to undermine our country. It is essential that we confront these challenges head-on, and stand together in solidarity to safeguard our national interests and sovereignty.
Through its national consciousness, the Algerian people have demonstrated, in the trial it went through during the years of the national tragedy, that it possesses unifying springs, drawn from its glorious history and bitter experience. Today, as we recall a glorious step, when brave men decided to create the stronghold of union struggle under the leadership of valiant revolutionaries, headed by the martyr Aissat Idir, it is our duty to draw inspiration from their sacrifices and love of the homeland. We must continue to walk in their footsteps and uphold their spirit of sacrifice and devotion to the nation.
On this occasion, I pay tribute to all the hardworking women and men who demonstrate selflessness in all sectors and positions, and I join them in honoring the memory of the martyrs of the national duty, led by the martyr Abdelhak Benhamouda and his fellow trade unionists and workers who were murdered by terrorist groups.
We reiterate our support for the working men and women who are leading Algeria towards an era free from corruption, injustice, bureaucratic excesses, and nepotism. We also affirm our constant commitment to the pledge we made to our brave people to mobilize all the material and human resources of the country and its institutions to achieve our strategic objectives, foremost among them the building of a strong and modern economy. An economy based on transparency and competitiveness that unleashes initiatives and ideas to create wealth and jobs while preserving the social character of the state.
We have worked, in this regard, to consolidate this principle through unprecedented measures and provisions, including the establishment of unemployment benefits and salary increases, while ensuring the protection of citizens’ purchasing power through the fight against speculators and those who provoke shortages, who take advantage of opportunities to undermine social stability, especially on the eve of the sacred month of Ramadan.
On this day, we also celebrate the anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons, when engineers and technicians mobilized to support this historic decision and skillfully continued production before passing the torch to their successors, who have competently and professionally increased oil and gas production capacities, enhancing Algeria’s role in the regional and international oil and gas market.
We remain convinced that highly qualified human resources in this vital sector will make a difference in the transition process towards new energies, given that our country has, in addition to the advantages in the energy sources pyramid provided by gas and oil, significant potential in the field of solar energy, a vast electric network, and national and international infrastructures for natural gas transportation, as well as an industrial fabric linked notably to the production of ammonia and hydrogen.
We remain committed to developing a national strategy for hydrogen development, particularly green hydrogen, as we emphasized last year on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons. This will enable our country to fully engage in the global momentum towards energy and environmental transition. Additionally, the development of the mining sector and the valorization of mineral resources are at the forefront of our priorities, as a crucial choice for diversifying our non-hydrocarbon exports.
In conclusion, I salute all the professionals and workers in the energy and mining sector, while commending the significant efforts of Sonatrach Group for its leading role in a rapidly evolving energy landscape and its critical contributions to the energy transition process.
Long live Algeria, free and proud.
Greatness and glory to our brave martyrs.
May the peace and blessings of God be upon you.
