In remarks delivered Saturday at the African Union (AU) high-level summit, the UN Secretary-General highlighted the potential of Africa and its young population and called for global reforms to correct past injustices.
“The partnership between the United Nations and the African Union has never been stronger,” said António Guterres, striking a positive tone from the outset. “Together, we see an Africa brimming with hope and possibility.”
The UN chief highlighted the continent's "vibrant and entrepreneurial" young population and the wealth of renewable resources it offers , and expressed great hopes for the future of the African Continental Free Trade Area, whose objective is to reduce trade barriers between its countries.
Guterres was speaking on the first day of the regional organisation's annual meeting, held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, amid conflicts and tensions in several AU member states, notably Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It's time for repairs and reforms
Referring to this year's summit theme, Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations , Guterres acknowledged that decolonization and independence, a major focus of the UN's work during its early years, had not resolved the underlying challenges faced by Africans, many of which are a legacy of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, two "colossal and compounded injustices."
Many of the UN member states were still colonies when multilateral systems were created in the mid-20th century, and the Secretary-General pointed to the need to reform his own organization, calling the lack of permanent African representation on the current Security Council inexcusable.
" I will continue to work with the African Union and all member states to ensure the representation Africa needs and the justice you deserve, including with two permanent members of the Security Council," he promised.
Guterres then reiterated his previous calls for reform of the international financial architecture, which is hampering the development of many African economies, plagued by costly debt repayments and high borrowing costs, limiting their ability to invest in education, health and other essential needs.
The wounds of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Guterres highlighted peace and security as a priority area for multilateral action, drawing particular attention to Sudan, the country most affected by displacement and famine.
Another country of concern is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As he spoke, international radio stations were broadcasting news of the latest military advances by the M23 rebels. The group has apparently entered Bukavu, the country's second largest city, with little resistance from the Congolese army.
The offensive threatens to "push the entire region over the precipice ," Guterres warned, adding that there is no military solution to the country's conflict, and that it can only be resolved through dialogue.
Meanwhile, he declared, MONUSCO , the UN peacekeeping force in the DRC, will continue to provide its support.
Development and renewable energies
Guterres then turned to development, suggesting that progress can be driven by gender equality, clean energy, the transformation of food systems and digitalisation.
The Pact for the Future, a landmark international agreement adopted by the nations of the world in 2024, outlines support for reform of the international financial architecture, which currently makes African countries pay up to eight times more to borrow than developed countries, and commits the richest nations to push forward a $500.000 billion-a-year development stimulus package.
He called the climate crisis both the cause of numerous catastrophes and an opportunity for the continent to play a leading role in the transition to a clean, low-carbon global economy.
Africa currently receives only 2% of global investment in renewable energy, but financial reforms could help the continent become a "global clean energy powerhouse" and help correct an unfair situation in which Africa disproportionately suffers from man-made environmental changes caused by the actions of the developed world.
The Secretary-General also identified bridging the “digital divide” by supporting Africa’s ability to benefit from new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, as a key area of concern.
Nearly two-thirds of all Africans lack reliable access to the internet, and by 2035 more young Africans will enter the workforce each year than the rest of the world combined. “They need the skills to thrive,” he said.
Among the UN's upcoming actions to help boost access to the digital economy are a report on initiatives to help the Global South harness AI for the benefit of all, a proposal for an International Scientific Panel on AI, and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.