The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations (UN) have expressed “deep concern” over ongoing armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the erosion of international law across Africa and beyond.
The concern was made Thursday by the Chairperson of the AUC Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, while they co-chaired the Ninth African Union–United Nations Annual Conference at the UN headquarters in New York, the AU said on Thursday in a statement.
The Conference reviewed joint efforts across peace and security, development, and human rights, welcoming progress in implementing the three AU–UN Frameworks.
Both organizations reiterated their shared commitment to support African-led peace processes, including in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, the Great Lakes Region, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa.
The conference also emphasized the importance of predictable and sustainable financing for AU-led peace support operations under UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023) and called for accelerated implementation of the AU–UN Roadmap.
It further highlighted collaboration on the digital transformation agenda, climate action, and inclusive development, notably through the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, the G20 AI for Africa Initiative, and the outcomes of the Second Africa Climate Summit.
The Chairperson and the Secretary-General also underscored the centrality of women and youth in advancing peace, security, and sustainable growth, welcoming the AU’s Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls as a landmark achievement.
The AU and UN agreed to convene the 10th Annual Conference in 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to continue deepening their strategic cooperation for the benefit of the African continent and the world.
MG/abj/APA