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Below is the statement delivered by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa:
President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, thank you for your leadership during your tenure. President João Lourenço, congratulations on your new role, and I look forward to collaborating with you as the incoming President of the African Union.
I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, for his eight years of steadfast dedication to multilateralism and his exceptional partnership with the United Nations. Moussa, it has been both an honor and a privilege to work alongside you.
The bond between the African Union and the United Nations has never been more robust. Together, we see an Africa brimming with promise and opportunity. With a dynamic and resourceful population, including the largest youth demographic globally, the African Continental Free Trade Area is poised to drive the continent’s economic growth.
The demand to confront the enduring legacies of colonialism and slavery is growing stronger, as reflected in this year’s summit theme and the leadership of influential advocates for Africa’s liberation, such as the late Dr. Sam Nujoma of Namibia, whose life we honor and whose passing we mourn.
The world must never overlook that Africa has endured two profound injustices. First, the deep scars left by colonialism and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. These injustices, rooted in centuries of exploitation, continue to impact Africans and their descendants today.
Political independence alone did not erase these wrongs. It did not free nations from systems built on exploitation or address decades of economic, social, and institutional neglect. The time has come to establish mechanisms for reparative justice.
Second, Africa was under colonial domination when the current global system was established, and this inequity persists. The United Nations Security Council is a glaring example. There is no valid reason for Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent representation in the 21st century.
Addressing historical wrongs is crucial to overcoming present challenges. Fortunately, many of the solutions we need are within reach. Last year, with Africa’s critical support, the Pact for the Future was adopted at the United Nations. Our focus now must be on translating these commitments into action. South Africa’s upcoming G20 Chairmanship presents a timely opportunity.
Let me outline four key areas for action.
First, we must prioritize peace, security, and the alleviation of human suffering. Sudan is being torn apart, now home to the world’s largest displacement crisis and looming famine.
As Ramadan approaches, an immediate halt to hostilities is essential. The global community must come together to stop the flow of weapons and funding fueling conflict.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the people continue to endure relentless violence. The ongoing clashes in South Kivu, driven by the M23 offensive, risk destabilizing the entire region.
Regional escalation must be prevented at all costs. There is no military solution. Dialogue is essential to break the impasse, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be upheld.
The outcomes of the recent EAC-SADC Summit provide a path forward, with a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire and momentum for regional efforts under the Luanda and Nairobi processes.
Swift implementation is critical, and the United Nations, including MONUSCO, remains steadfast in its support.
In the Sahel, terrorism poses a direct threat, undermining peace, security, and development. In Somalia, we urge predictable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission and hope the Security Council will heed this call.
As we meet here in Africa, our thoughts are also with Gaza. Renewed hostilities must be avoided at all costs. The Palestinian people have endured immense suffering. I welcome efforts to maintain the ceasefire and call for a lasting resolution and the release of all hostages.
Peace in the Middle East is achievable, beginning with irreversible progress toward a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist in peace and security.
On all fronts, the United Nations stands with the African Union to advance security, stability, human rights, and the rule of law.
Second, we must collaborate to achieve the AU 2063 Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on finance. African nations pay up to eight times more to borrow than developed countries, and twenty are in or near debt distress.
The Pact for the Future advocates for reforming the global financial system to reflect today’s realities, ensuring fair representation and effective debt relief. I stand with Africa in seeking to correct historical injustices and secure justice.
Third, the climate crisis. Climate disasters are devastating Africa, destroying lives, livelihoods, and economies, while fueling conflict. At the same time, the renewable energy revolution is unstoppable, and Africa is well-positioned to lead in clean energy.
Yet, Africa receives only 2% of global renewable energy investments. Realizing Africa’s potential requires access to affordable finance, including full implementation of the COP29 finance decision and a roadmap to secure $1.3 trillion annually.
Africa has contributed minimally to the climate crisis but suffers disproportionately from droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Climate justice demands substantial investment in adaptation, with the global community taking significant responsibility.
Developed nations must double adaptation finance and significantly bolster the Loss and Damage Fund. When established, the fund’s pledges matched the highest contract for a U.S. baseball player. It is imperative to make this fund an effective tool for supporting developing nations in adaptation.
We also need fairness in the exploitation of Africa’s critical minerals. Too often, these resources are extracted without benefiting the countries of origin, leaving them at the bottom of value chains while others profit.
The United Nations Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals aims to ensure fairness, sustainability, and human rights across the value chain. Africa’s resources must benefit its people.
Finally, we must address new technologies, including AI. Nearly two-thirds of Africans lack reliable internet access. We have a historic responsibility to ensure AI serves humanity as a whole, not just a select few.
The Global Digital Compact aligns with the African Digital Compact, emphasizing universal connectivity, capacity-building, and responsible AI governance. I will soon present a report on innovative financing and capacity-building initiatives to help the global South harness AI for collective benefit. Together, let’s ensure these promises are kept.
The United Nations and the African Union are united in our resolve to deliver justice for Africa, leaving no one behind. We have a strong foundation to build upon. Together, let’s turn commitments into action. Long live Africa!