UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged African leaders at the AU Summit to push for reforms, emphasizing the need for permanent African seats on the UN Security Council.
At the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a compelling case for sweeping reforms of global institutions, notably highlighting the lack of permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council as "indefensible." He emphasized that the current global landscape is vastly different from 1946—calling for urgent changes to reflect today's realities, in which African leadership is crucial. Guterres described the African Union as a flagship for multilateralism in a world fraught with division and mistrust.
Guterres recognized Africa's significant role in advocating for justice and equality globally, stating that the partnership between the UN and the AU has never been stronger. Over the past decade, this partnership has been bolstered through consistent dialogue and shared objectives, particularly in the realms of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. He asserted that this cooperation has reached new heights, with both institutions working closely together to address pressing global issues.
The Secretary-General identified three key priorities for enhancing this cooperation: peace, economic action, and climate justice. By setting these priorities, Guterres underscored the urgent need to address ongoing conflicts, strengthen economic ties, and tackle climate-related challenges that disproportionately affect African nations, positioning the continent as an essential player in achieving global stability and equity.
