Africa-Press – Angola. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres advocated for increased funding, Security Council reform, and a just energy transition for the African continent.
Addressing the 39th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), Guterres stated that Africa remains central to the UN’s priorities, having expressed gratitude to the African group for their unwavering support throughout his tenure, which ends this year.
He acknowledged the significant progress made in the last decade through cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, particularly in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights, through the establishment of joint frameworks.
The UN chief also referenced the response to the pandemic and the adoption of a landmark Security Council resolution that paved the way for funding African peacekeeping operations.
For Guterres, these steps reinforce a partnership based on mutual respect and solidarity.
The UN Secretary-General reiterated his support for reforming the UN Security Council and the global financial architecture to ensure greater African representation and better access to credit and investment.
Guterres noted that Africa receives only around two percent of global investment in clean energy, despite its potential in renewable energy sources and critical minerals.
He advocated a just and equitable energy transition with sustainable value chains that would directly benefit African countries.
Antonio Guterres confirmed that Africa would remain at the heart of his agenda until the end of his mandate and that the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union would continue to be a fundamental strategic priority.
