AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR MATETE NENA AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON PRIORITIES FOR 2026

  Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Matete Nena, Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the United Nations & Chair of the African Group for the month of January

15th January 2025

Mr. Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group.

The African Group expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, for his briefing on his priorities for 2026. We also thank you, Madam President, for convening this important meeting.

We meet at a time of unprecedented challenges. Conflicts ravage multiple regions, including our continent. The climate emergency intensifies. Poverty and inequality persist, threatening decades of development gains. In this context, Africa remains firmly committed to the United Nations and the principles enshrined in its Charter.

On peace and security, the African Group notes with concern that the continent continues to bear a disproportionate burden of conflicts and humanitarian crises. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, millions of our citizens suffer the consequences of instability. We call upon the Secretary- General to intensify support for African-led peace initiatives and genuine partnership with the African Union and regional economic communities.

The African Group reiterates the importance of the full operationalisation of Security Council resolution 2719 on financing for African Union-led peace support operations authorised by the Security Council.

On sustainable development, the African Group is deeply concerned that with less than five years to the 2030 deadline, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals remains inadequate in Africa. The pandemic, climate impacts, rising debt levels and geopolitical tensions have reversed development gains. We call upon the Secretary-General to ensure that the United Nations system prioritises support for developing countries in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.

The commitments made in the Seville Commitment must be translated into concrete action, and the international financial architecture must be reformed to address unsustainable debt burdens and ensure adequate access to concessional financing for African nations.

On climate change, Africa remains the continent most vulnerable to adverse climate impacts despite contributing the least to global emissions. We call upon the Secretary-General to continue advocating for ambitious climate action and adequate climate finance.

On the UN80 Initiative, the African Group supports efforts to make the United Nations more effective and fit for purpose. However, reform must strengthen rather than weaken the Organisation's capacity to deliver, particularly for developing countries. The mandate implementation review must be conducted transparently, inclusively and with full respect for intergovernmental processes.

The African Group reiterates that Security Council reform remains essential. The Council's current composition does not reflect contemporary realities and perpetuates historical injustice. We reiterate our call, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, for Africa to be allocated no fewer than two permanent seats with all prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership, including the right of veto, as well as five non-permanent seats.

As we approach the selection of the next Secretary-General, the African Group emphasises the importance of a transparent, inclusive and merit-based process.

In conclusion, the African Group reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations. We stand ready to work constructively with the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly and all Member States. Through genuine partnership and shared commitment to the Charter, we can build a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

I thank you.