The African Union, European Union and United Nations have called for stronger action on conflicts, food insecurity and development financing in Africa, warning that instability and disruptions to key trade routes are worsening global risks.
The three organisations made the call during their seventh trilateral meeting at the U.N. headquarters in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting brought together African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.N. Secretary-General .
The leaders reaffirmed their support for multilateral cooperation based on international law, the U.N. Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law.
They also backed reforms to make international institutions more representative, including the U.N. Security Council, and called for stronger African participation in global decision-making.
AU, EU, UN focus on Horn of Africa
The organisations expressed concern about developments in the Horn of Africa and the escalation in the Red Sea, saying disruptions were affecting navigation as well as global energy and food supply chains.
They supported ongoing African Union efforts to advance dialogue in Ethiopia and implement the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, also known as the Pretoria Agreement.
On Somalia, the leaders reaffirmed support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission and stressed the need for an orderly and sustainable security transition.
They also raised concerns about the political, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan.
The leaders called for national consensus and a peaceful transition in line with the country’s Revitalized Peace Agreement.
On Sudan, they condemned the continuing conflict and backed a coordinated international approach to support an inclusive, Sudanese-led political process.
They also called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.
Leaders back African peace operations
The AU, EU and U.N. said peace operations led by the two organisations remain important to efforts to achieve lasting stability across Africa.
They called for further implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2719, adopted in 2023, which provides a framework for predictable financing of African Union-led peace support operations.
The leaders also supported stronger regional ownership of peace efforts, in line with the U.N. review of the future of peace operations.
Africa faces development funding squeeze
The organisations urged faster implementation of the Sevilla Commitment, which provides a framework for financing sustainable development.
They expressed concern about declining official development assistance commitments from some major donor governments.
According to the communiqué, the decline has affected funding for humanitarian operations, climate action and health programmes.
The leaders called for more public and private investment to close the development financing gap.
They welcomed the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative and stressed the need to direct investment towards partner priorities, including energy, connectivity, education and healthcare.
They also called for measures to reduce debt distress and increase the representation of developing countries in international financial institutions.
The leaders highlighted the high cost of capital facing African countries and welcomed African-led efforts to develop sustainable debt solutions.
Food security under growing pressure
The AU, EU and U.N. also warned that the global food security situation remained fragile.
They cited climate shocks, including El Niño, conflicts and disruptions to supply chains and shipping routes.
The leaders specifically mentioned the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Black Sea as areas where disruption could affect food and other critical supplies.
They said food security was closely linked to peace, stability and sustainable development.
The three organisations called for reliable and affordable access to fertiliser and other agricultural inputs.
They also urged greater local and regional production and distribution of farm inputs across Africa to reduce dependence on external supplies.
Furthermore, they pledged continued support for climate-resilient agriculture, regional value chains and emergency food assistance.
The organisations called for sustained investment in smallholder farmers, agribusiness, irrigation, early-warning systems and social protection.
AU, EU and UN to meet again in 2027
The three organisations said they would deepen cooperation on peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.
They linked the cooperation to the U.N. 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The leaders agreed to reconvene in 2027 on the sidelines of the 82nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
