The Carl Hagenbeck Hall in the “Lindner Park-Hotel Hagenbeck” was decorated in the Pan-African colors of green, yellow and red. Painted figures of elephants and lions pointed to the entrance. The menus were in the shape of the African continent on the white-covered tables . With great attention to detail, the 20 consular missions from Africa based in Hamburg invited dignitaries to a traditional African reception filled with the characteristic warmth and hospitality. In front of approximately 400 guests, Mayor Olaf Scholz and Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, emphasized that Africa is a continent of opportunities and that its partnership with Germany takes place on an equal footing. Gerd Müller in his speech, addressed the responsibility of industrialized countries when it comes to their responsibilities towards climate change. He received a lot of applause for his words. “It was a great and emotional speech,” said Dieter Härthe, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Senegal. (Source: Die Welt, June 23, 2017).