According to the UN Secretary-General, the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union is stronger than ever. He expressed a positive outlook for Africa, stating that it is full of hope and potential. The Secretary-General highlighted the continent’s young, enterprising population and its abundant renewable resources, while also expressing optimism for the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to reduce trade barriers between countries in Africa.
Mr. Guterres made these remarks on the first day of the annual meeting of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He acknowledged the conflicts and tensions in some African Union member states, such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The Secretary-General recognized that decolonization and independence, which were major focuses of the UN’s early work, did not solve the underlying challenges faced by Africans. He attributed many of these challenges to the legacy of colonialism and the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which he described as “colossal and compounded injustices.”
During the mid-Twentieth Century, when multilateral systems were being created, many of the UN’s member states were still colonies. Mr. Guterres pointed out the need for reform within the UN, particularly in regards to the lack of permanent African representation on the Security Council. He promised to work with the African Union and all Member States to address this issue, including advocating for permanent African representation on the Security Council.
The Secretary-General also emphasized the need for reform of the international financial architecture, which is hindering the development of many African economies. This is due to expensive debt repayments and high borrowing costs, which limit their ability to invest in essential needs such as education and healthcare.
Peace and security were highlighted as a top priority for multilateral action, with a specific focus on Sudan. Mr. Guterres proposed that the strong partnership between the African Union and the UN could help end the ongoing conflict in Sudan. He also mentioned the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the M23 rebels have made military gains and entered the city of Bukavu. The Secretary-General stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and that it can only be resolved through dialogue. He also assured that the UN peacekeeping force in the DRC, MONUSCO, will continue to provide support.
In terms of development, Mr. Guterres proposed that progress can be achieved through gender equality, clean energy, food systems transformation, and digitalization. He mentioned the Pact for the Future, an international agreement adopted by the nations of the world in 2024, which aims to support the reform of the international financial architecture. This agreement also commits wealthier nations to providing a development stimulus package of $500 billion a year.
The Secretary-General also addressed the climate crisis, stating that it is both the cause of numerous disasters and an opportunity for Africa to lead the way in transitioning to a clean, low-carbon global economy. Currently, Africa only receives two percent of global renewable energy investment, but Mr. Guterres believes that financial reforms can help the continent become a “global clean energy powerhouse.”
He also highlighted the need to bridge the “Digital Divide” and support Africa’s capacity to benefit from new technologies, such as artificial intelligence. By 2035, more young Africans will enter the job market annually than the rest of the world combined, and they will need the necessary skills to thrive. The UN is taking action to address this issue, including releasing a report on initiatives to help the Global South harness AI, proposing an International Scientific Panel on AI, and hosting a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.