Deputy Secretary-General's address to the European Union - Africa summit

It is an honour to be here. I bring warm regards from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who regrets he could not be with you.

The Secretary-General and I are deeply grateful to the Government and people of Portugal for the focus your have placed on Africa during your Presidency of the European Union.

In the seven short years since the first EU-Africa Summit, Africa has undergone significant change -- as has the international community's way of interacting with it. With the creation of the African Union five years ago, the leaders of the continent called on all Africans to redefine their destiny, to assume their full role and responsibility in global affairs, and to work together to find common solutions to common problems.

This has given both the European Union and the United Nations rich opportunities to build up our partnerships with Africa.

With this summit, and the launch of the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership, Africa and Europe will strengthen even further their unique historical, cultural and economic ties.

The issues you will discuss here are at the centre of the UN's work. Our work in peace and security, human rights and development reinforce each other.

We all have a vital stake in redoubling efforts to ensure that Africa reaches the Millennium Development Goals by the target date of 2015. While the world as a whole is on target to meet the Goals, Africa remains off track. Just past the mid-point in the work towards the MDGs, we know that sub-Saharan Africa requires a special effort. The Goals can still be reached in most countries -- but only if we act now.

That is why the Secretary-General established the MDG Africa Steering Group, together with the AU, EU and other multilateral organizations. Through the Steering Group, we will work together on three main fronts. We will strengthen international mechanisms to support African countries in health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and statistical systems. We will strive to make aid more predictable, so African governments can plan for greater investments in the MDGs. And we will collaborate more closely and effectively at the country level to support African Governments in reaching the Goals.

Excellencies,

Since the creation of the African Union, the AU and the UN have worked in close partnership to build up Africa's capacity in peacekeeping. Europe has been an important partner in this critical endeavour.

As you know, we are now at a critical point regarding the deployment of the AU/UN hybrid force in Darfur.

Politically, we have made some headway on Darfur.

Our chief concern remains the early deployment of an effective, robust peace-keeping force. Only in this way can we achieve security, or credible progress in the peace talks. But this requires capability on the ground. Most urgently, it requires helicopters. In the past weeks and months, the Secretary-General has contacted, personally, every possible contributor of helicopters -- in the Americas, in Europe, in Asia. And yet, not one helicopter has been made available.

In Europe alone there are thousands of military helicopters of different types. Large numbers of helicopters also exist in the key Asian powers, and in the Americas. Any assistance the Governments in these regions can offer would be profoundly appreciated, not least by the people of Darfur.

Excellencies,

In the longer-term, the UN is working closely with the AU, the EU, and other partners to develop coordinated support for an African Peace and Security Architecture, including an African Stand-by Force. We are stepping up efforts in conflict prevention, in promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes, and in enhancing regional and national capacities in this vital area. We are strengthening institutional approaches to peacebuilding, through the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission. And we are focusing on the dimension of rule of law in peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding throughout the continent.

We will continue to work together on the full range of challenges Africa faces. How Africa fares in building development, human rights and peace and security is a matter of life and death for millions of Africans. It is also a test of the ability of the United Nations to carry out the mandate our membership has given us. The African Union and the European Union are our indispensable partners in this endeavour.

In that spirit, I wish you a productive and successful Summit.

Thank you very much. Muito obrigada.