Remarks by the President of the UN General Assembly
H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang
at the High-level Thematic Debate on the Multifaceted Aspects
of Peace and Security in Africa
and the Future of Peacekeeping Operations
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for joining this High-Level Thematic Debate on Peace and Security in Africa.
This is an issue that Africa unfortunately continues to grapple with.
Conflicts give birth to other conflicts all the time.
This stark reality reminds us why we are gathered today – not merely to discuss concepts but to confront the realities that shape peace and security, in Africa.
Africa is a vast continent.
Over a billion people live in Africa. All of them hopeful for stability, prosperity, and most of all peace.
Yet, conflicts are proliferating across the continent, displacing millions of people and claiming innocent lives.
Terrorism, governance challenges, climate change and social inequalities are among the drivers of instability.
And they intersect in ways that defy simplistic interpretations.
It is a complex reality.
For we know that peace is not merely the silence of guns.
It is more complex than that.
It is the harmony of progress, justice, opportunity, dialogue, hope and dignity for all.
Addressing Africa’s security challenges, therefore, demands a collaborative approach.
One that links peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts with initiatives for development, humanitarian assistance, and human rights.
The Pact for the Future calls for greater international cooperation.
The Pact effectively seeks to reinvigoate multilateralism.
And so, it is imperative that we strengthen collaboration among nations and all relevant stakeholders.
We must create synergies in conflict prevention and crisis management that strengthen the foundations of peace.
In 2023, the Security Council took a significant step to strengthen the United Nations partnership with Africa.
Its landmark resolution 2719 marked a milestone in providing predictable and sustainable financing for African Union–led peace support operations.
The Council recognised that collective security could be improved through cooperation with regional organisations.
The Council acknowledged the mandate of the African Union Peace and Security Council for the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa.
And it acknowledged the need for more reliable, flexible, predictable, and sustainable funding for African Union-led peace support operations.
We need broader support for the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2719 by all Member States.
As we look to the review of resolution 2719 in 2026, it is important to ask:
What role can the General Assembly play in promoting support for African Union-led peace support operations financed through United Nations assessed contributions?
How should peacekeeping operations be configured in the future?
To best serve vulnerable populations, it is clear that peacekeeping operations must evolve.
Peace efforts must be shaped by those they serve.
National ownership is essential.
The review on the future of United Nations peace operations, mandated by the Pact for the Future, presents a key opportunity in this regard.
Achieving peace and security in Africa is a complex charge.
However that complex carge is attainable.
Now more than ever, we must use the tools of peacebuilding, rooted in the principles of the United Nations Charter, to foster stability in Africa.
With a collective commitment from leaders, youth, women, and institutions, we can transform aspirations into realities.
Eighty years ago, the founding members of the United Nations Organisation came to the same realisation after suffering two destructive wars.
Only diplomacy, dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflict can save us.
For this is the only way to bring durable peace.
This is true for Africa.
And it is true for other regions, in particular as we witness an extremely alarming military escalation in the Middle East.
Together, let us build a future for Africa where peace is not a fragile hope, but an unshakable reality.
That unshakable reality is at our fingertips if we have the courage to embrace it.
The choice is ours.
Thank you.
Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 361 4990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
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