Remarks for H.E. Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United Nations on behalf of H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
High-Level Open Debate on “Cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-Regional Organizations in Enhancing Confidence Building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution” 19 April 2021 8h00 EST
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Council,
Heads of Regional and Sub-regional organizations,
Esteemed delegates and participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,
All protocol observed.
1. On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission who could not join because of prior engagements, I wish to extend my appreciation to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for organizing this timely high-level open debate and for bringing together representatives of the African Union Commission, United Nations, Regional and Sub-Regional organizations to discuss our cooperation in enhancing confidence building and dialogue in conflict prevention and resolution.
2. I take this opportunity to express my very best wishes to His Excellency Nguyễn Xuân Phúc President of the Council for a successful term in leading the Honorable Council.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlmen,
3. Given the complexities of the challenges we have faced with the ongoing global pandemic, it is even more crucial for us to identify how we can improve our cooperation through stronger multilateralism and confront our shared threats with a global, coordinated and united voice, and common action.
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Council,
4. Since the signing, by His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat Chairperson of the African Union Commission and is Excellency Antonio Gutteres Secretary General of United Nations, of the Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security in 2017, and the subsequent Framework on Development, the institutionalization of joint efforts between the UN and AU has been strengthened. These mechanisms and legal frameworks have indeed helped us to enhance our collaboration and coherence to the extent that today, consultation and coordination between the AU, RECs/RMs and the UN to harmonize strategies and approaches have become the rule rather than the exception. This has enabled us to move from an ad hoc approach to a more structured and predictable one. With the relevant frameworks in place, we have effectively addressed in many cases the complex peace and security challenges in Africa.
5. Our enhanced partnership continues to be anchored on the principles of subsidiarity, complementarity and comparative advantages. Africa has achieved important milestones towards realizing the objectives of the AU flagship initiative– “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”, in line with the vision in AU Agenda 2063 and 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. The African Union has prioritized deepening its cooperation with regional economic communities and regional mechanisms on regional peace and security issues. Sustained efforts at the national, regional and continental levels have continued to be deployed in an attempt to address the fundamental root causes of violent conflicts.
6. We have increased operational cooperation and coordination by working in support of peace processes in Sudan, Mali, Central African Republic, Darfur and Somalia. Furthermore, our organizations continue to work together to support free, fair and credible electoral processes, strengthen good governance, promote the protection of human rights and prevent electoral violence across the continent. We will continue to foster national cohesion and inclusive political and