By Aminu Adamu
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has wrapped up a series of high-level engagements at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, reinforcing Africa’s push for stronger multilateral cooperation to tackle peace, security, and development challenges.
In a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the AU Commission Chairperson pressed for urgent reforms in the UN Security Council and international financial institutions, alongside joint efforts in preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution. Discussions also centered on pressing issues in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), funding for AU-led peace operations, climate finance, food security, and global trade reforms.
Both leaders underscored Africa’s right to drive its own growth while stressing the urgency of easing the continent’s debt crisis. They also called for a fairer international financial architecture, equitable credit ratings, and improved access to climate adaptation funds. Youssouf emphasized Africa’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions, urging the international community to step up financing for adaptation, loss and damage, and a more inclusive global trading system.
The bilateral was followed by the sixth AU–UN–EU trilateral meeting, where Youssouf joined Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa.
Trilateral Talks on Conflict Zones
The three organizations placed conflict resolution at the heart of their agenda:
- On Sudan, they called for intensified global support to halt hostilities and secure a lasting political settlement.
- On the Sahel, they committed to closer coordination to address insecurity and foster reconciliation.
- On Libya, they endorsed the UN roadmap to revive the stalled political process while urging greater humanitarian responses to migration.
- On the DRC, they reaffirmed backing for AU and UN Security Council-led peace processes.
- On Somalia, they stressed the need for sustainable financing for the AU Support and Stabilization Mission.
Global Priorities Ahead
Looking forward, the AU, UN, and EU pledged to strengthen their trilateral cooperation under Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The leaders flagged financing as a critical priority, urging swift implementation of the Sevilla Commitment to unlock investment, ease debt pressures, and reform multilateral development banks.
They also highlighted the urgency of ambitious climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil, especially for vulnerable African communities hit hardest by climate shocks.
Marking the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, the three organizations renewed their commitment to advancing women’s leadership in peacebuilding.
At the close of the trilateral meeting, the AU, UN, and EU reaffirmed their shared belief in multilateralism as the most effective tool to confront today’s global crises, while raising concerns about the growing disregard for humanitarian law and human rights.
