Assembly with AU Fee Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the 2 sides centered on deepening cooperation throughout peace and safety, sustainable growth and human rights.
It additionally marked what Mr. Guterres mentioned would most certainly be his closing AU-UN summit as Secretary-Normal.
“That is my closing AU-UN Convention as Secretary-Normal,” he advised reporters within the Ethiopian capital afterwards. “However the ties between our organizations are stronger than ever – and can stay so.”
The Secretary-Normal and the AU Fee Chairperson signed a declaration reaffirming the rules of the UN-AU joint frameworks, additional institutionalizing cooperation between the 2 organizations.
Pillar of global progress
Mr. Guterres described the African Union as “the flagship for multilateralism in Africa” and “a collective voice of justice for the growing world,” highlighting the continent’s significance and potential.
He mentioned the Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, underscored the significance of regional organizations, significantly the AU, and referred to as for reform of the Safety Council to make it extra consultant of at present’s world.
“Africa’s continued exclusion from everlasting illustration is certainly a historic injustice – and we can’t settle for it,” he mentioned.
“This isn’t about privilege or symbolism. That is about making certain that the Council is match for goal and ready to act with legitimacy and effectiveness.”
Monetary reform
The Secretary-Normal additionally highlighted what he described as deep inequalities within the worldwide monetary structure, saying African international locations proceed to face excessive borrowing prices and restricted entry to inexpensive capital.
“In the present day’s global monetary structure is just not offering satisfactory ranges of help, nor enough voice and participation for Africa,” he mentioned.
He famous that many African international locations typically pay up to thrice the benchmark charge for borrowing, draining public assets that would in any other case be invested in water, sanitation, well being and training.
Mr. Guterres praised African-led reform efforts, together with the African Growth Financial institution’s initiative to create a New African Monetary Structure for Growth, bringing collectively African monetary establishments.
“Africa assumes the management in fixing African issues,” he mentioned.
AU Fee Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (proper), greets Secretary-Normal António Guterres, in Addis Ababa.
Local weather and power
Mr. Guterres additionally warned that local weather change continues to hit Africa hardest, despite the fact that the continent contributes least to the disaster.
A brief overshoot of the 1.5°C temperature restrict is now “inevitable – however not irreversible,” he mentioned, calling for stronger adaptation finance and larger funding in Africa’s renewable power potential.
By 2040, he mentioned, Africa may generate 10 instances extra electrical energy than it wants solely from renewables, whereas delivering energy to the 600 million Africans who nonetheless lack electrical energy.
However he warned that Africa receives solely two per cent of global clear power funding, urging motion to take away limitations similar to weak grids, excessive capital prices and fragile provide chains.
Center East fallout
In a separate assembly with French President Emmanuel Macron and the AU Fee Chair, Mr. Guterres additionally warned that Africa is very weak to the global financial results of the Center East disaster, significantly disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
He mentioned even a right away reopening would nonetheless deliver severe penalties, together with slower progress and better inflation, whereas extended disruption may increase the danger of a global recession.
The results, he warned, could be significantly extreme for African economies already dealing with excessive debt, power prices and difficulties accessing fertilizers.
Silencing the weapons
Peace and safety additionally featured prominently within the AU-UN talks.
Mr. Guterres mentioned the UN strongly helps the African Union’s ‘Silencing the Weapons’ initiative and the African Humanitarian Company, whereas pointing to cooperation on conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and the Sahel.
He referred to as for a right away cessation of hostilities in Sudan and renewed dialogue within the Sahel to confront violent extremism and terrorism.
“I’ve all the time believed that Africa must be seen for what it’s: a continent of immense richness and promise,” he mentioned.
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