United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed calls for Africa’s fair representation as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Guterres made the remark on Wednesday during the 10th African Union-United Nations High-Level Dialogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“This is not about privilege or symbolism. It is about ensuring that the Council is fit for purpose and acts with legitimacy and effectiveness in today’s world,” he said.
Guterres described the AU-UN partnership as one of the most strategic multilateral alliances supporting peace and development across Africa. He noted that the partnership has strengthened coordination, governance, humanitarian responses, and human rights efforts on the continent.
He admitted the occasion was emotional for him, as it could be his final summit with the African Union, and assured African leaders of the UN’s continued support for the continent’s development and reform agenda.
Guterres emphasised that Africa’s success is vital to global progress and stability.
After a working lunch, both parties signed a declaration reaffirming their commitment to multilateral cooperation, African leadership, peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights.
Speaking to journalists, Guterres highlighted close cooperation in the African Union’s ‘Silencing the Guns’ initiative and condemned foreign interference in African conflicts.
“It is absolutely intolerable for external actors to fuel African conflicts by providing weapons and political support to advance their strategic or economic interests,” he said.
Guterres later held talks with African Union officials and French President Emmanuel Macron on reforms to global governance, international financial systems, and the implications of the Middle East conflict for Africa.
