Keynote Address by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, on the theme “Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration: Two Decades of the African Common Position, Correcting Historical Injustices, Promoting Equity and Inclusion in the United Nations Security Council”, on the occasion of the 7th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council

New York, 21st September 2025

Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on United Nations Security Council Reform (C-10);
Excellencies, Heads of State and Government of the C-10;
Excellency Analena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly;
Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations;
Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
As President of the Republic of Angola and as Chairperson of the African Union, I take the floor to express some thoughts on the commemoration of another anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at this ceremony marking the 7th Summit of the African Union Committee of Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.

The United Nations was founded on the ideal of a more just international order, based on the sovereign equality of States and mutual respect among peoples, at a time when African countries had not yet achieved their independence and their place as sovereign nations within the international community.

On this basis, twenty years ago, in Ezulwini and Syrte, Africa made its voice heard, sending a clear, courageous message based on an irrefutable principle: justice and fairness in global governance.
By adopting the Ezulwini Consensus in March 2005 and the Syrte Declaration in July of the same year, our continent clearly showed the world its desire to break with the historical exclusion it has suffered since the creation of the United Nations Security Council.

However, in the years since then, little or nothing has been done to respond to the demands of the peoples of Africa, since the African continent, which represents more than 1.4 billion people, about 17% of the world's population, and occupies almost a third of the seats in the General Assembly, remains excluded from central decision-making in the Security Council.

We are concerned about the impasse in intergovernmental negotiations, which are too slow, procedural and often paralysed by divisions.

Two decades without concrete results may undermine the momentum of the process, but it is important to note that unity remains strong and unshakeable.

These two texts, the Ezulwini and Sirte declarations, express the collective will of the continent to obtain equitable representation in this fundamental body of global governance.

For this reason, the African Union, on the basis of these two documents and through this body meeting here, firmly advocates that the reform of the Security Council should include the allocation of at least two permanent seats for Africa, with full rights and privileges, including the right of veto, as long as it continues to exist, and five additional non-permanent seats for African States, thus ensuring fair and equitable representation and a clear commitment that the African continent will no longer be the subject of the Council's decisions, but will become an active participant in those decisions.

This demand is neither excessive nor symbolic, but rather the expression of a legitimate right based on the current geopolitical reality, which requires the correction of this injustice, namely our demographic weight, our contribution to peacekeeping operations and the fact that Africa is the continent most affected by Security Council decisions, while being the least represented.
In view of this, we believe that a Security Council that deals with Africa in around 70% of its agenda cannot continue without Africa as a permanent member.

The time has come to consider that the African continent should have an active and stronger voice in global decisions related to peace, security and development.

Excellencies,
Multilateralism is an essential lever for Africa in its quest for justice, equity and sustainable development.

Faced with today's global challenges, it offers us a framework conducive to strengthening continental unity and solidarity, based on common positions such as those we are celebrating today, but also to defending essential principles such as the sovereignty of States, non-interference and the right to development, which are dear to us and which guarantee Africa's balanced inclusion in global governance.

Therefore, on behalf of the Member States of the African Union, I would like to express our gratitude to the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government of the African Union and commend the remarkable, strategic and indispensable work carried out in the service of our continent.

In a changing geopolitical context, where balances of power are evolving but are struggling to be reflected in global governance structures, the efforts undertaken by the C-10 are more vital than ever, as they embody a determined, coherent and unified pan-African diplomacy, enhancing the collective consciousness of a continent that is firmly determined to take its place at the table where the major issues facing humanity are decided.

It is up to us, as African leaders, to continue to fully support the actions of the C-10, to strengthen its political and diplomatic means and, above all, to remain united in support of its initiatives, putting aside egocentric views so that we can always walk together and achieve results that satisfy the collective interests of our continent.

Excellencies,
We are gathered here today not only to celebrate a date, but also to turn this occasion into a moment of reflection, lucidity and mobilisation.

Twenty years on, we must ask ourselves why Africa's voice continues to be marginalised in major global decisions and why our legitimate demands are met with indifference or even disregard.

In view of this, it is imperative that we bear in mind that it is through unity and consistency that our position will gain strength, credibility and impact, and underlines the relevance of these diplomatic instruments, which we must continue to wield firmly in all international forums, always reaffirming our fundamental demands.

Africa is the cradle of humanity, the guardian of ancient cultures, the land where some of the world's oldest civilisations were born. It is also the continent of youth, where almost half of our population is under the age of 20, bringing with it a transformative energy.

It is the continent of resilience, where, despite the wounds of history, innovative solutions for development, peaceful coexistence and the future of humanity are being built every day.

But this narrative, which should inspire hope, coexists with a bitter reality when we are faced with scenarios that show us that the African continent still has no effective voice in the central decision-making structures of the multilateral system.

This is not an isolated claim, it is a demand for global legitimacy, because a Security Council that excludes an entire continent from full participation cannot aspire to be respected as the guardian of international peace and security.

The world faces existential challenges, from climate change to transnational terrorism, from pandemics to global inequalities. And in all these challenges, Africa is not only a victim, it is also part of the solution. That is why it is important that we continue to claim our space to make our voice heard.

To conclude my speech, while renewing my support for the C-10 for its leadership role, I urge everyone to continue together, with determination and solidarity, this struggle for equity, justice and dignity for Africa, which has been led by this group with great determination, wisdom and a pan-African vision that deserves our deepest admiration and sympathy.

I would like to express my unconditional support for the efforts of His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on United Nations Security Council Reform, with the deepest conviction that under his leadership we will be able to assert our views on Africa's role within the United Nations Security Council.

Thank you very much for your attention.