H.E Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Edrees, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU) to the United Nations (UN), delivered a compelling briefing on April 2^nd, 2026, to visiting students from the University of Bayreuth, Germany, who came to participate in the Model UN program at the UN headquarters in New York, USA.

The fruitful and very engaging exchange with the university students took place in the Mandela Conference room of the Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN. It touched on the vision, mission, flagship projects under Agenda 2063, the integral role of the AU within the United Nations (UN) system, and the importance of inclusive multilateral cooperation among others. “The vision of the African Union is that of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena". The involvement of African Citizens calls for the African Union to strive and live up to its ambition of being a people-centred Union through the participation of Member states in defining and implementing the African Agenda towards meeting the continental development goals espoused in our continental developmental framework of Agenda 2063”. Underlined Ambassador Edrees.

The insightful briefing fostered a deeper understanding of the AU as a Pan-African Organisation, educate the youth on the significance of the AU in promoting peace, development, and unity across Africa, underscoring AU's commitment to involving women and the youth in continental affairs and global governance.

Ambassador Edrees further emphasized the AU's vision to promote unity and solidarity among African states, as well as its efforts to champion peace, security, and development across the continent.

Key highlights of Ambassador Edrees' presentation included:

• Pan-African Unity: The AU's foundational objective as per its founding members, is to foster a united Africa, encouraging collaboration among member states to address shared challenges.
• Representation and Advocacy:  The AU Permanent Observer Mission (AUPOM) to the UN acts as a voice for African nations within the UN system, advocating for African interests and priorities. It represents the collective views of the AU on various global issues, defending Africa's Common Position and ensuring that Africa’s interest is included in international discussions.
• Promoting Multilateralism: The AUPOM supports multilateral cooperation among member states to address global challenges, such as climate change, security, and development. It emphasizes the importance of collaborative approaches to governance, encouraging dialogue and partnerships.
• Global Governance Framework: The AUPOM engages in discussions around reforming global governance structures, advocating for a more inclusive representation of developing countries in decision-making processes. It plays a role in shaping policies that affect global peace and security, development, and human rights.
• Peace and Security: A significant focus of the AU is conflict resolution and peacekeeping; The AU is actively involved in peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives across the continent, working closely with the UN to address crises.
• Sustainable Development: AU plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable development goals across Africa, aligning with global initiatives to combat climate change, enhance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability in Africa.
• Youth Engagement: The importance of involving young people in AU initiatives, calling on students to actively participate in discussions and programs that shape the future of the continent.
• Strengthening Partnerships: The AUPOM collaborates with various UN bodies, civil society organizations, and other international actors to bolster efforts in achieving common goals.
• Programs and Initiatives: Ambassador Edrees shared insights into various AU programs, including the Agenda 2063 framework, which envisions a prosperous and integrated Africa driven by its own citizens.

The briefing concluded with an interactive Q&A, allowing students to engage directly with the Ambassador, fostering a dynamic and interactive dialogue that allowed for a deeper exploration of the AU's strategic objectives and its collaborative efforts with the UN. This engagement not only served as a platform for academic enrichment but also aimed to inspire the next generation of leaders to take an active role in shaping Africa's destiny on the global stage.

Media Contact:

Ms Esther Azaa Tankou, Head of Media and Information Division, Information and Communication Directorate, AUC and Communication Advisor to the African Union (AU) Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations (UN). Tel: +1 347 812 71 95, Email: yamboue@africanunion.org