Guterres, addressing the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, cited the ongoing legacies of colonialism and slavery, echoing the conclave’s central theme of “Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations”.

He recalled the leadership of figures such as Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s recently deceased founding father and first president, whose life the assembly celebrated.

He considered the lack of permanent African representation on the UN Security Council to be unacceptable and called for reform of the international financial architecture.

The UN Secretary-General underlined the urgent need for peace and security by referring to the crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the latter where the continuing offensives of the March 23 Movement (M23) threaten to destabilise the region.

He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kinshasa, while warning of terrorism in the Sahel region and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The speech also addressed the need to advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Guterres noted that Africa’s growth is hampered by the high cost of borrowing and, in that regard, called for increased financial support and investment in the continent.

He also urged developed countries to double funding for adaptation and significantly boost that fund.

He highlighted the strength of the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, as well as the potential of the continent and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

mh/mem/nmr