Building a 'Green Gabon' has always been a central pillar of my government, and in 2014, I introduced a new legal framework that puts environmental protection and sustainable development firmly at the heart of our future economic growth.
As we look to the future, we cannot improve our living standards while simultaneously degrading the natural environment around us.
We are fighting corruption and all illegal activities and building a culture of transparency and ethical governance.
I want to make sure that I fulfill the aspirations of the Gabonese people: to have access to a better life, job opportunities, and importantly, for the Gabonese people themselves to take into their own hands the development of their own country.
My father used to say I would inherit his house but not his seat.
I developed the armed forces, especially in a way that improved living and working conditions. My record is there.
For our part, Africa will make a significant contribution to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In my country, Gabon, entry into the digital age, which is the future, can be seen in numerous sectors - from telecommunications to security, finance, and hospitality.
My government has taken significant measures to enable the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in our country.
Climate change is a security threat that Africans have had to deal with all of our lives.
If every country's climate policy was driven purely by environmental science, we may have no need for international agreements.
Talking about peace might not be exciting... some say you don't eat peace, but without peace, you don't eat at all.
Our elephants are under siege because of an illegal international market that has driven ivory prices in the region up significantly. I call upon the international community to join us in this fight.
I cannot violate the law.
I've decided with the full agreement of my wife Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and my children that my share of the inheritance will be shared with all Gabonese youth because in my eyes, we are all heirs of Omar Bongo Ondimba.
No Gabonese must be left by the side of the road.
Those who were fortunate enough to have the support of their parents or the state must in turn be generous, in solidarity, especially in hard times.
There is nothing that you can do without working.
We must be practical. Talking about trade and other nice things are more soothing to the ear than security. But it won't be until we have sufficient security against internal, regional, and continental threats that we can be sure of real development.
After securing security, we can be confident that our achievements will be safeguarded and also have the capacity to construct infrastructure such as regional railways, airports, and highways that will facilitate trade and help us to integrate faster.
