António Guterres was speaking at UN headquarters in New York following the ninth conference between the world body and the African Union (AU).
The high-level talks focused on progress in the implementation of cooperation frameworks but also on joint action and challenges in the areas of peace, security, development, human rights and climate action.
A necessary union
“Cooperation between our organizations has never been stronger – nor more necessary,” said the Secretary-General. said during a press briefing alongside the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
“Our world is in turmoil, shaken by deadly conflicts, growing inequality, climate chaos and runaway technology. The impacts are being felt deeply across the African continent.”
Mr. Youssouf said the partners have aligned their respective development programs.
Peace, climate justice and reform
They also work closely on flagship peace programs, including the AU’s efforts to « silence the guns » by 2030, and are now « very involved » in promoting climate justice and the energy transition.
He also underlined the commitment to working with all UN parties and stakeholders on Security Council reform.
“These reforms are indeed of paramount importance and would ultimately make it possible to consolidate the multilateral system,” he declared.
Both organizations are also facing financial difficulties and “must adapt our actions and programs to new realities.” They must also continue to support peace operations, the fight against terrorism, the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and concentrate most of their efforts on humanitarian affairs.
Correcting injustice, ensuring fairness
The Secretary-General highlighted three areas where decisive action is needed, starting simply with putting Africa first.
He noted that the pact for the futureadopted last year by member states, also called for Africa to have permanent seats on the Security Council, « correcting once and for all an intolerable injustice facing the African continent. »
His second point concerns financing development and innovation. Although Africa has vast resources, “its progress is hampered by an outdated and unfair global financial system,” he said.
“Now is the time to reform this financial architecture – so that it reflects today’s world and better meets the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa. »
He recalled that “African leadership has contributed to ensuring Seville’s commitment“, an agreement reached by member states this year, which includes measures to advance issues such as easing the debt burden and reducing borrowing costs.
The Secretary-General will urge the G20 group of industrialized countries “to lead on these long-overdue reforms” at its summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, later this month.
Invest in peace
Finally, addressing the issue of investing in peace, the UN chief reaffirmed his full support for the Silencing the Guns initiative.
“And now is the time,” he added. “Today, Africa is the scene of too much conflict and too much suffering. »
Regarding Sudan, he expressed deep concern over recent reports of mass atrocities and gross human rights violations in El Fasher and worsening violence in Kordofans.
He also expressed concern over growing insecurity in the Sahel and highlighted other situations on the continent, including Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The world must not turn its back on Africa, which is home to nearly a fifth of humanity,” the UN chief stressed, warning that “the stakes are too high. And the potential is too great.”
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
