© UN Photo/Loey Felipe
African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yusuf and UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlined a joint agenda focused on reforming international institutions, securing sustainable peace across the continent, and ensuring climate finance reaches Africa. Both leaders met during the annual AU-UN conference and urged greater African representation in global decision-making while warning that ignoring conflicts in Africa endangers global stability.
At the close of the 9th Annual African Union–United Nations Conference in New York, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yusuf and UN Secretary-General António Guterres recommitted to a joint agenda centered on reforming global institutions, advancing peace, and securing climate justice for Africa.
Both leaders said cooperation between the AU and UN has never been more necessary, given overlapping crises on the continent and across the world.
“The African Union and the United Nations have aligned their development agendas—Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030—and are working closely on peace and development,” said Yusuf. “Our partnership has never been stronger or more necessary,” Guterres emphasized.
The two leaders agreed that the multilateral system must evolve to reflect today’s realities and Guterres described Africa as “a double victim of colonialism,” excluded both from the past global order and from the creation of institutions that still dominate international decision-making. He pointed out that reform of the UN Security Council, long sought by the African continent, is essential to “correct this historic injustice” by adding permanent African seats and giving developing countries greater representation in global financial institutions.
Peace and security
Peace and security remained a top concern, particularly the AU campaign of “Silencing the Guns by 2030.” Yusuf admitted that the target may be ambitious but said progress is underway through the AU’s Peace and Security and Governance Architectures, which are being integrated to address conflicts more effectively.
“2030 might not be a realistic date to end violence,” he said, “but we must address the structural causes of conflict—poverty, weak governance, and inequality.” He stressed that AU peace operations must have predictable funding under UN Security Council Resolution 2719. Guterres voiced support, warning that instability in Africa threatens global peace.
“The international community must support Africa in its fight to eliminate terrorism and the threats it poses worldwide.”
Financial reform and fair access to capital
Both leaders highlighted the need to reform the global financial architecture. Guterres said Africa’s development is constrained by a system designed for another era.
“It must become more inclusive, representative, and effective,” he said, calling for expanded lending, lower borrowing costs, and faster debt restructuring.
In the meantime, African countries are already mobilizing domestic resources to reduce dependence on foreign aid, Yusuf emphasized.
“Africa has decided to take its destiny in its own hands,” he said. “We are changing the narrative—mobilizing our own resources and defining our priorities.”
Climate justice and energy transition
Climate justice featured at the meeting. Guterres called it a moral imperative for wealthy nations to finance adaptation and clean energy in Africa. He urged developed nations to double adaptation finance to at least $40 billion annually and mobilize $1.3 trillion a year by 2025 for developing countries. Yusuf linked the issue directly to peace and stability.
“Africa’s future depends on a just energy transition—one that supports growth, stability, and resilience,” he said.
This article was originally published in Africa Renewal magazine and written by Franck Kuwonu.