UN, African Union pledge stronger partnership for peace

Secretary-General António Guterres (right) meets with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday called for the world to prioritise Africa, urging nations not to turn their backs on the continent.

António Guterres made the appeal at UN Headquarters in New York following the ninth conference between the United Nations and the African Union (AU).

The high-level talks focused on progress in implementing cooperation frameworks and strengthening joint action in peace, security, development, human rights, and climate action.

A necessary union

“Cooperation between our organisations has never been stronger—or more necessary,” the Secretary-General said at a press briefing alongside the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

“Our world is in turmoil, rocked by deadly conflicts, widening inequalities, climate chaos, and runaway technologies. The impacts are felt deeply on the African continent.”

Mr Youssouf said the two partners have aligned their respective development agendas.

Peace, climate justice and reform

They are also working closely on flagship peace programmes, including the AU’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative by 2030. Both organisations are now “deeply engaged” in advancing climate justice and supporting the energy transition.

He also reiterated the AU’s commitment to work with all parties and stakeholders at the UN on Security Council reform.

“These reforms are of paramount importance and would ultimately consolidate the multilateral system,” he said.

Both organisations face financial strains and must adapt their actions and programmes to new realities. They also plan to continue supporting peace operations, counter-terrorism efforts, conflict prevention and resolution, and humanitarian initiatives.

Correcting injustice, ensuring fairness

The Secretary-General outlined three priority areas for decisive action, beginning with prioritising Africa.

He recalled that the Pact for the Future, adopted last year by Member States, called for permanent African seats on the Security Council—“correcting once and for all an intolerable injustice faced by the African continent.”

His second point focused on financing for development and innovation. Although Africa has vast resources, “its progress is held back by an outdated and unfair global financial system,” he said.

“The time has come to reform this financial architecture so that it reflects the world of today and better serves the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa.”

He noted that African leadership helped secure the Sevilla Commitment earlier this year, which includes measures to ease debt burdens and lower borrowing costs.

Mr Guterres said he would urge the G20 group of industrialised nations “to lead on these long-overdue reforms” when he attends their summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, later this month.

Investing in peace

Turning to the third priority—investing in peace—the UN chief reaffirmed his full support for the “Silencing the Guns” initiative.

“Its time is now,” he said. “Today, Africa is home to too many conflicts and too much suffering.”

On Sudan, he expressed grave concern over reports of mass atrocities and gross human rights violations in El Fasher, as well as worsening violence in the Kordofans.

He also voiced alarm over rising insecurity in the Sahel and pointed to other crisis-hit regions, including Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“The world must not turn its back on Africa, home to nearly one-fifth of humanity,” the UN chief stressed. “The stakes are too high, and the potential is too great.”