The African Group

Message from the Chair

The Member States in the United Nations General Assembly are divided into various geographical groupings. These are the groupings through which elections are conducted into various UN bodies and agencies.

Africa is allocated 3 non-permanent members of the Security Council, 14 members on ECOSOC, 13 Members on the Human Rights Council and the President of the General Assembly in years ending 4 and 9.

The Africa Group at the United Nations is made up of the 54 African Union Member States at the United Nations. The bloc coordinates its efforts on various topics, ranging from health and migration to issues of peace and security.

The group hold regular meetings to receive briefings from guests and UN officials and discuss on UN resolutions and topics so a common African position can be reached.

The group is chaired by an Ambassador from a Member State, with the position rotating monthly. The African Union Observer Mission serves as a coordinating secretariat for the group by arranging meetings, supporting the Chair, and generally providing logistical and administrative assistance where necessary.

« C'est avec grand plaisir que j'assume la présidence tournante du Groupe africain pour le mois de novembre. Je remercie mes prédécesseurs pour leur leadership efficace, qui m'a permis d'assumer cette fonction sans difficulté. J'ai l'intention de consacrer mes efforts au maintien de la forte unité du Groupe africain, en particulier dans la perspective des importantes conférences des Nations unies à venir, notamment le deuxième Sommet mondial pour le développement social 2025 et la 30e Conférence des Parties à la Convention-cadre des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques (COP30), qui se tiendra dans le courant du mois. Outre les questions émergentes, je m'efforcerai également de renforcer la collaboration en cours au sein du Groupe sur l'initiative UN80, la septième session de l'Assemblée des Nations Unies pour l'environnement et la réunion de haut niveau de l'Assemblée générale sur le Sommet mondial sur la société de l'information (SMSI+20), qui se tiendra le mois prochain. Je vous remercie et me réjouis de nos futurs engagements. »

“It is my pleasure to assume the rotating position of Chair of the African Group for the month of November. I thank my predecessors for their able leadership which has paved the way for my smooth assumption to this role. I intend to dedicate my efforts towards upholding the strong unity of the African Group, especially in view of the upcoming important UN Conferences, including the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 and the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) which will take place within the month. Besides any emerging issues, I will also seek to strengthen the ongoing collaboration within the Group on the UN80 Initiative, the upcoming seventh session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly, and the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS+20) High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly, which will take place in the subsequent month. I thank you and look forward to the engagements”

H.E. Amb. Ekitela Lokaale, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the @UN & Chair of the African Group for the month of November 2025.