Honorable Co-Chairs, Honorable Ministers, Distinguished Commissioners, Esteemed Delegates,

It is a distinct honour to address and co-chair this segment of the Ministerial meeting on behalf of the African Union Commission. A quarter-century of AU-EU cooperation is an important milestone to reaffirm our commitment to the very foundation of our partnership – a foundation that finds its fullest expression through multilateral cooperation.

From the perspective of the African Union, multilateralism is central to diplomacy and international relations, and we believe it is a fundamental value in the coordination and conduct of states. It remains the most potent system at our disposal to confront complex challenges and to preserve the integrity of international law as the foundation for a just global order.

In a world marked by diverse capacities, perspectives, interests and challenges, the multilateral system remains Africa’s most vital platform for pursuing our common goals and forging equitable solutions. In this respect, several interconnected challenges demand our collective attention.

Firstly, in 2024, the Pact for the Future notably adopted by the UN General Assembly. It is critical to note that the Pact reinforced the call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council. In this context, the AU Member States affirm the legitimate right to fair representation at the Security Council to correct the historical injustice as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus, Sirte Declaration and subsequent negotiations through the related Committee of Ten (C10). The support of the EU to our position is highly appreciated.

Secondly, while growth is returning to Africa, it is not yet at the scale needed to significantly reduce poverty or meet the aspirations of our youth population. We need to be reminded that the cost of COVID-19 remains with us, and as a continent, we have not recovered. This is why we continue to call for high-quality investments and additional financing to promote a win-win economic cooperation and to unleash the full potential of our partnership, including through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Thirdly, climate action, underpinned by the key principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, is a cornerstone of our agenda. We must work together to accelerate a just transition, bolster affordable and accessible finance at scale, especially for adaptation. We should ensure equitable access to green technologies, as well as promote dialogue on the disproportionate impacts of unilateral legislative climate-related measures.

Fourthly, there is an urgent need to reform the global financial architecture to make it fit for purpose and supportive of Africa's development aspirations. The current architecture often imposes high borrowing costs on African nations—up to five times more than advanced economies —and limits access to essential development finance, hindering progress towards Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The AU-EU partnership has a vital role in championing a "Grand Bargain" to transform this landscape through proactive multilateral engagement, for example, at the forthcoming UN 4th Conference on Financing for Development.

Fifthly, multilateral cooperation has and continues to be central to health security and development. There is an urgent imperative to work together to promote accessible, resilient and equitable health systems as well as robust pandemic preparedness. In this regard, it is appropriate for us to applaud the adoption of the first global agreement on pandemics precisely as an illustration and expression of multilateralism that has to be strategically extended to its implementation.

And sixthly, we must address the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, while fostering legal pathways and upholding the dignity of all migrants.

Excellencies,
In conclusion, these are not just challenges; they are opportunities to innovate and deepen our cooperation both bilaterally and through multilateral fora, especially through the UN, thus contributing to a just global order.

The AU’s partnership with the EU is an important pillar of our multilateral engagement. It offers a framework for mutually beneficial solutions. As an example, our strategic vision as enshrined in Agenda 2063 and the Joint Vision 2030 provides a robust framework for our collective action across prosperity, peace, people, and planet.

Crucially, this must be a partnership of equals, anchored in respect and mutual understanding and solidarity, where African leadership and priorities are central. The benefits must be concrete, mutual, and genuinely contribute to Africa's self-defined development trajectory.

As we embark on our deliberations on multilateralism, let us do so with a renewed commitment to its principles and practice. Our call is for an action-oriented and implementable approach. It is better to make difficult choices than to regret not making timely solutions.

Thank you.