Addis Ababa (Horn Post) — The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has praised the African Union as a global symbol of multilateralism, while urging stronger international support for Africa’s peace, development, and climate priorities.
Addressing the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in 2026, Guterres thanked African leaders for what he described as consistent and decisive support for the United Nations, saying Africa’s solidarity has been central to advancing justice and equality at the global level.
Speaking in the presence of AU Chairperson and Angolan President João Lourenço, and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the UN chief said cooperation between the UN and the AU has deepened significantly over the past decade, particularly in peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and crisis response.
Guterres highlighted the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 as a milestone, noting that it creates a pathway for predictable financing of AU-led peace support operations. He also reiterated support for AU flagship initiatives, including efforts to silence the guns, advance inclusive political transitions, and strengthen humanitarian coordination.
On global governance, the Secretary-General renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, describing the absence of permanent African representation as “indefensible” in the modern era. He stressed that Africa must have a seat at the table whenever decisions affecting the continent and the world are made.
Peace and Security
Turning to conflicts across the continent, Guterres called for immediate ceasefires and inclusive political solutions in Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, and the Central African Republic. He also urged coordinated regional action to address terrorism and instability in West Africa and the Sahel.
On Somalia, he emphasized the importance of sustained and predictable funding for the AU Support and Stabilization Mission, expressing regret over the lack of consensus within the Security Council on assessed contributions for the mission.
Economic and Climate Priorities
Guterres warned that developing countries face a major financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, while African nations continue to shoulder high debt burdens and borrowing costs. He called for reforms to the global financial architecture, increased lending by multilateral development banks, and stronger action against illicit financial flows.
On climate change, the UN chief said the world is likely to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold, stressing the need to minimize the impact through urgent climate action. He underscored the responsibility of major emitters, particularly G20 countries, to lead global efforts to cut emissions and support climate resilience in Africa.
The Secretary-General concluded by reaffirming the UN’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the African Union, guided by African leadership and shared priorities for peace, development, and multilateral cooperation.
Prepared by:
Horn staff reporter
Addiss Ababa, Ethiopia.
