At the UN Headquarters in New York during the high-level week of the General Assembly, the heads of the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and the United Nations issued a joint communiqué following their sixth trilateral meeting. The leaders confirmed their dedication to multilateralism as an effective method to confront today’s challenges and highlighted concerns about the growing disregard for international laws and human rights worldwide.
A significant portion of the communiqué addressed African crises, including the ongoing war in Sudan, now in its third year. The organizations called for intensified support to achieve a quick cessation of hostilities and a sustainable solution through inclusive political dialogue. They also promised to improve coordination in the Sahel region, where armed groups continue to cause instability, and affirmed their support for reconciliation and development initiatives.
In regards to Libya, the leaders endorsed the UN’s plan to restart the stalled political process and called for sustained efforts to manage migration issues following humanitarian standards. They showed support for peace initiatives in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and backed both the AU Peace and Security Council, as well as the UN Security Council’s latest resolution. On Somalia, the organizations restated their support for the AU Support and Stabilization Mission, emphasizing the need for consistent financing to ensure effective operations.
The UN, AU, and EU agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation to promote African-led solutions to peace and security challenges. They recognized Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as guiding frameworks. Financing and addressing climate-change effects in vulnerable communities were marked as key priorities.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, the leaders reaffirmed their dedication to advancing women’s leadership and involvement in peacebuilding.
Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Global Africa Business Initiative’s Unstoppable Africa 2025 forum, which was organized by the AU and the UN Global Compact. Describing Africa as an “opportunity” due to its young population, renewable resources, and growing role in the digital economy, Guterres called for investment in renewable energy, sustainable food systems, and digital infrastructure. He stressed the requirement for fair returns from Africa’s critical minerals, necessary for the clean energy transition, and advocated for greater support to smallholders and climate-resilient agriculture. Guterres stated that Africa’s rise is “undeniable, inevitable, and unstoppable” and emphasized the importance of reforms in international finance and governance, including permanent African representation on the Security Council, to amplify the continent’s global voice.
Source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2025/09/1165905
