Ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Ahunna Eziakonwa, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, spoke with Prof. Landry Signé of The Brookings Institution’s Foresight Africa about how the continent is setting agendas amid strained multilateral consensus.
The insightful conversation highlights some of Africa's priorities, reflecting the continent's growing influence and the urgency of today's global challenges. Among these are reforming global governance and transforming the global financial architecture.
Reforming Global Governance
Africa, home to 1.4 billion people and the largest regional bloc at the United Nations, continues to press for a more representative global governance architecture. This includes calls to reform the UN Security Council and other international institutions to ensure that Africa's voice is meaningfully reflected in global decision-making.
Transforming the Global Financial Architecture
The current financial system was not designed for today's realities. African countries are seeking reforms to address debt vulnerabilities, the high cost of capital, credit-rating methodologies, and the re-channelling of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
Building on progress made at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, there is strong momentum to create a system that better serves developing economies, including those in Africa.
Advancing Climate Finance and Sustainable Industrialisation
Despite contributing a small share of global emissions, Africa bears a disproportionate burden of climate impacts. The continent is calling for greater support for adaptation, delivery on loss and damage commitments, and climate finance.
At the same time, African nations are advocating for value addition and industrialisation at home, particularly around critical minerals, to create jobs, strengthen energy security, and ensure greater benefits from Africa's natural resources.
Beyond these priorities, peace and security remain central, including ongoing challenges in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, the Great Lakes region, and the Sahel. There is growing advocacy for stronger international support for African-led peace and security initiatives.
As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, Africa's perspectives and leadership will be essential in shaping effective and inclusive solutions.
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly will convene world leaders to revitalise global cooperation, give a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals and drive collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet, beginning with the opening session on 8 September.
Click the microphone to listen to the insightful conversation.
