In a world marked by division and mistrust, he said, the African Union (AU) stands as a “flagship of multilateralism,” as he put it. addressed the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.
Guterres praised Africa’s global leadership in “the fight for justice and equality,” noting that the UN-AU partnership is stronger than ever and is based on “respect, constant dialogue and unwavering solidarity.”
Cooperation has reached “new heights” over the past decade, he added, pointing to joint frameworks on peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.
Peace in Africa
The Secretary-General outlined three priorities for deeper cooperation: peace, economic action and climate justice.
On peace, he called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan, renewed dialogue in South Sudan and respect for the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Across the Sahel, Libya and the Horn of Africa, he highlighted the need for political solutions led by Africa and backed by sustained international support.
economic action
Guterres further warned that developing countries face a $4 trillion annual funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while Africa loses more to debt service and illicit financial flows than it receives in aid.
in a press conference After the summit, he said it is “simply inconceivable” that Africa should confront “an economic and financial system that remains totally unfair.”
He called for tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks and ensuring that developing countries have “a real voice and meaningful participation” in international financial institutions.
No more looting
He also stressed that African countries must directly benefit from their natural wealth: “No more exploitation. No more looting. The people of Africa must benefit from the resources of Africa.“
He urged that African countries benefit “first and fully from their critical minerals through fair and sustainable manufacturing and value chains”, in line with UN recommendations.
Climate justice
Regarding climate, Guterres warned that “the science is unequivocal: the planet will exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit.” The 1.5°C threshold, enshrined in the Paris AgreementIt is considered essential to avoid the most catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts.
“Africa did not cause the climate crisis,” he said, but it faces faster-than-average warming, droughts, floods and deadly heat: “climate injustice, plain and simple.”
He called on developed countries to triple adaptation financing, mobilize $1.3 trillion annually for developing countries by 2035 and expand the Loss and Damage Fund.
Reforms now
Guterres also stressed the urgent need to reform global institutions.
The absence of permanent African seats on the Council is “indefensible; this is 2026, not 1946“he said, adding: “Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are put on the table, Africa must be on the table.“
