I had the pleasure of having a productive exchange with H.E. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, @RwandaMFA at the margins of UNGA. We underscored the importance of continued collaboration on institutional reform, sustainable development and continental integration — while reinforcing Africa's voice, ownership and strategic autonomy in line with #Agenda2063. #AfricanUnion #Rwanda #Agenda2063 #UNGA81

At #UNGA81 in New York, on the margins of the General Assembly, I was pleased to meet with Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa @ahunnaeziakonwa, USG and Special Adviser on Africa @UNOSAA1, to take stock of the @_AfricanUnion – @UN strategic partnership and advance practical steps towards stronger institutional coordination and delivery. We agreed on the importance of translating our shared political commitments into measurable results, building on the work already undertaken and ensuring that the 7th AU–UN High-Level Strategic Dialogue (HLSD) is focused on strategic decisions and concrete outcomes. We also discussed strengthening the College-to-College mechanism and advancing joint tools for shared accountability. Our objective is to build a more integrated and predictable AU–UN delivery cycle, with stronger coordination across institutions, clear ownership and effective monitoring, aligned with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda. We reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening a more coherent, effective and results-oriented partnership between the @_AfricanUnion and the @UN, advancing Africa's priorities and reinforcing multilateral action. #AUUN #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #UNGA81 #AUUNHLSD

في نيويورك، وعلى هامش أشغال الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة، سعدتُ بلقاء معالي الدكتور فاتح بوطبيق، رئيس البرلمان الإفريقي، حيث جدّدتُ له خالص التهاني بمناسبة انتخابه، متمنياً له وللمؤسسة البرلمانية الإفريقية موفور التوفيق والنجاح في النهوض بمهامها وخدمة قضايا القارة وشعوبها. وقد شكّل هذا اللقاء مناسبة مهمة لتأكيد الالتزام الراسخ لمفوضية الاتحاد الإفريقي بمواصلة تعزيز التعاون والتنسيق مع البرلمان الإفريقي، باعتباره مكوّناً أساسياً من مكونات منظومة الاتحاد الإفريقي، ودعم جهوده الرامية إلى النهوض بدوره في ترسيخ الممارسة الديمقراطية، وتعزيز الحوكمة، وتوسيع المشاركة الشعبية في مسار العمل الاندماجي القاري. وتطرّق اللقاء كذلك إلى أهمية مواصلة العمل المشترك بين أجهزة الاتحاد الإفريقي ومؤسساته، بما يعزز الانسجام والتنسيق المؤسسي، ويدعم الجهود الرامية إلى جعل الاندماج الإفريقي واقعاً ملموساً يستجيب لتطلعات الشعوب الإفريقية، ويعزز قدرتها على الإسهام في صياغة مستقبل القارة. وإن تعزيز التعاون بين مفوضية الاتحاد الإفريقي والبرلمان الإفريقي يظل ركيزة أساسية في ترسيخ مؤسسات الاتحاد، وتعزيز مبادئ الحوكمة والمساءلة والمشاركة، ودفع مسيرة الوحدة والاندماج الإفريقي إلى آفاق أرحب.

𝐏𝐚𝐧-𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐔𝐂 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐔 𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, and the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, held a bilateral meeting today in New York on the sidelines of the ongoing 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). The meeting marked the first official engagement between the two leaders since the election of the Bureau of the Seventh Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament in April this year. H.E.Dr. Boutbig outlined his vision for reforming and strengthening the continental legislature, including through administrative improvements, to ensure that the Pan-African Parliament is better equipped to fulfil its mandate, represent the interests of African citizens, and advance the policies and programmes of the African Union. The AUC Deputy Chairperson, who oversees the Union’s administration and finance, expressed her support for the new leadership’s efforts to strengthen the Pan-African Parliament. She also reaffirmed her readiness to remain engaged in the reform process and to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the institution’s effectiveness. The two leaders agreed to work towards improved coordination of the programmes and activities of African Union organs under the leadership of the Office of the Chairperson of the AUC. They underscored the importance of greater institutional coordination in advancing the African Union’s agenda and ensuring more effective representation and participation in international forums, including the United Nations General Assembly. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration between the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union Commission in support of the objectives of the African Union. #PanAfricanParliament #AfricanUnion #AUObjectives

On behalf of the Chairperson of the @_AfricanUnion Commission H.E. Mahmoud Ali youssouf @ymahmoudali, I participated in the High-Level Side Event on Cultural Heritage Restitution hosted by Ghana 🇬🇭 at #UNGA81 in New York, I reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to reparatory justice and the return of Africa’s cultural heritage. I underscored that restitution is not a discretionary cultural gesture. It is a matter of justice, historical truth, dignity and the cultural rights of present and future generations. Africa must now move from dialogue to delivery: advancing provenance research, opening archives, establishing clear pathways for return, strengthening African institutions and ensuring accountability. Restitution is about restoring memory, identity and agency and advancing Agenda 2063’s vision of an Africa confident in its heritage and united in shaping its future. #UNGA81 #AfricanUnion #CulturalHeritage #Restitution #ReparatoryJustice #Agenda2063 #AfricaRising

On the margins of #UNGA81, I held a productive meeting with Ms. Catherine Pollard, UN Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance @UN_MgmtStrategy, on strengthening cooperation between the @_AfricanUnion and @UN on institutional management and reform. Our meeting comes at an important moment for both institutions. As @_AfricanUnion and @UN advance their respective reform processes, we have an opportunity to learn from each other and strengthen the systems, people and institutional capacities that underpin effective delivery. We discussed practical cooperation in areas including budget and human resources management, oversight, compliance and staff capacity-building. I underscored the importance of translating the AU–UN strategic partnership into deeper institutional cooperation, with clear areas of work and mechanisms to support implementation and track progress. Strong multilateral institutions matter because the ambitions we set for the people we serve ultimately depend on our capacity to deliver them. #AfricanUnion #UnitedNations #Multilateralism #InstitutionalReform #Governance #Accountability #Agenda2063 #AUPartnership

On the margins of #UNGA81, I joined African leaders and partners at the High-Level Side Event, "Two Years After the Pact for the Future: Progress on Implementation, Challenges and Opportunities for Africa," presided over by H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, and co-hosted by Namibia, Zambia, UNECA, the African Union, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. Two years after the Pact's adoption, our focus must be on implementation translating global commitments into tangible progress for Africa. The real test ahead: whether Africa is gaining greater capacity to finance, produce and shape its own development. That demands continued reform of the international financial architecture, including fairer international tax cooperation and mobilising more of Africa's own resources, directing African capital towards building the productive capacity of our economies. Our young people must be at the centre of this transformation not only as workers, but as entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, innovators, investors and owners. As we approach the 2028 review of the Pact, the measure of progress must be clear: stronger African economies, greater productive capacity, deeper continental integration and expanding opportunities for our people. #PactForTheFuture #Agenda2063

At the AU–UN Top Table, “Building Together, Scaling Faster: Structuring Capital for Africa,” at #UnstoppableAfrica2026 in New York, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, @DCP_Haddadi, underscored the need to mobilise Africa’s own capital to finance the continent’s transformation. She highlighted the AU’s support for NAFAD, PAPSS and the Africa Credit Rating Agency, strengthening Africa’s financial architecture in line with Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA. Emphasising that “financial sovereignty is not financial isolation,” H.E. the Deputy Chairperson called for stronger collaboration between African capital, institutions and enterprise, alongside international investment, to accelerate Africa’s transformation. Read full Remarks @ au.int/en/speeches/20260920/… #UNGA81

AU and UN Renew Agreements to Strengthen Strategic Partnership in Operational Support. At a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, on 21 September, H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission @DCP_Haddadi, and Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, signed the renewed Memorandum of Intent on cooperation in operational support and Memorandum of Understanding on the Knowledge and Expertise Exchange Programme (KEEP).   Both Ms. Haddadi and Mr. Khare underscored the importance of moving beyond coordination towards greater strategic alignment, shared priorities and practical cooperation. They highlighted sustained knowledge exchange, institutional capacity development and strong operational support systems as essential to strengthening the AU’s ability to plan, deploy and sustain peace support operations.   “As a global and continental challenges become increasingly complex our corporation must continue to evolve from coordination to strategic alignment, guided by our shared priorities, mutual accountability and measured impact” said H.E. Amb. Haddadi. “Our cooperation has demonstrated the value of sustained and practical capacity development, grounded in shared objectives and mutual learning,” said Mr. Khare. He added that “The renewal of these agreements provides an important foundation for the next phase of our partnership and for further strengthening African Union ownership, institutional capacity and operational readiness.”   The renewed agreements build on nearly a decade of cooperation under KEEP, established in 2016 and revitalized in 2022, with a growing focus on capacity development, institutional strengthening and shared learning across areas including mission planning, supply chains, finance, human resources and ICT.   The inaugural STAR Programme, held in Algiers from 19–23 July 2026, further demonstrates the value of this cooperation, bringing AU and UN expertise together to strengthen institutional capacity and operational readiness.   The renewed frameworks reaffirm the importance of networked multilateralism, and the AU–UN commitment to practical cooperation, African ownership and preparedness for future peace support operations. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… #UNGA81

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, accompanied by @DCP_Haddadi & AU Commissioners, is participating in the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The Chairperson underscored that this year’s theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,” is particularly timely against the backdrop of complex & evolving global challenges. He stressed that the Session provides an important opportunity to reaffirm the centrality of #multilateralism, strengthen international cooperation, & advance a more responsive, inclusive, representative & effective multilateral system; consistent with Africa’s longstanding call for meaningful reform of global governance institutions, including the UN Security Council. The Chairperson added that for #Africa, the Session also provides an important platform to advance the continent’s priorities, strengthen the Africa–UN partnership, & promote collective solutions to shared challenges of peace & security, sustainable development & global governance, including through enhanced African representation & voice in international decision-making. On the sidelines of #UNGA81, Chairperson Youssouf & his delegation have had numerous high-level engagements with leaders of the EU, the UN Secretary General, and the private sector to advance Africa's priorities within the framework of the AU #Agenda2063. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

On the margins of #UNGA81, I was pleased to return to the Forward Africa Leaders Symposium at the Harvard Club in New York, under the theme "Building the Next Frontier of Africa's Digital Economy." In my opening keynote, I underscored that Africa has already demonstrated its capacity to innovate at scale. In 2025 alone, USD 1.4 trillion moved through mobile money in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for two-thirds of global mobile-money transaction value. The next step is infrastructure. Reliable, affordable energy powers the networks and digital services a modern economy depends on. Affordable connectivity brings people and businesses online. Integrated markets let African innovation move across borders. This is why Africa's next digital frontier must be built at the intersection of infrastructure, energy, integration and innovation. Our task now: build on the frameworks already in place and accelerate implementation at scale —bringing governments, continental institutions, development finance, and private capital together to deliver real results for our people. It is also to connect energy with digital infrastructure; national systems with continental markets; good governance with investor confidence; and, above all, Africa’s transformation with greater economic opportunity for its people. #GlobalConversations2026 #ForwardAfricaLeaders #DigitalAfrica #Agenda2063 #AfricaWeWant

Constructive exchange today, on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, with H.E. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, on ways to further deepen our strategic partnership and advance our shared objectives Following this meeting, the African Union Commission and the United Nations renewed two key instruments of cooperation, co-signed by myself, as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support: • The Memorandum of Intent (MoI), which establishes a strategic framework for our cooperation across shared priorities, including peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and humanitarian action in Africa. • The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Knowledge and Expertise Exchange Programme (KEEP), which strengthens institutional collaboration between the African Union and the United Nations by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and skills, thereby enhancing institutional capacities and reinforcing our operational partnership. The African Union and the United Nations remain committed to strengthening this strategic partnership and to working together in pursuit of peace, sustainable development, stronger institutions, and effective multilateral action across the continent. This renewed commitment reflects our shared determination to translate partnership into meaningful and lasting outcomes for the people of Africa.

On the margins of #UNGA81 in New York, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, @ymahmoudali met with H.E. Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad of the Republic of #Algeria. They exchanged views on peace & security in the Sahel, with the Chairperson commending Algeria’s important role in promoting peace & security, including through the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC). Minister Attaf briefed the Chairperson on the recent 10th Africa Amnesty Month, held in Algiers, which focused on disarmament & efforts to curb the illicit proliferation of small arms & light weapons, landmines & explosive remnants of war. The Chairperson & the Minister reaffirmed the importance of strengthened African cooperation and collective action in advancing peace and stability across the continent. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @DCP_Haddadi

On the margins of #UNGA81, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, @ymahmoudali co-chaired with UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres a high-level UN–AU meeting to advance cooperation between the two institutions. The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to supporting Africa’s efforts to address structural challenges & advance a fairer international order, including reform of the international financial architecture, debt sustainability & ensuring that Africa derives greater value from its critical mineral resources. They underscored the strategic importance of AU–UN cooperation, including the three existing cooperation frameworks & the need to finalise the joint roadmap beyond 2026. The UN was reaffirmed as a key partner of the AU in addressing peace & security challenges on the continent. On peace & security, the meeting highlighted the need to strengthen Africa’s peace & security architecture, reinforce preventive diplomacy & mediation, & ensure that the necessary resources are available to advance African-led solutions to African challenges. The discussion also reviewed developments in the Sahel, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, & the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including continued support for the mediation led by Togo in the DRC. The meeting further expressed concern over exogenous shocks, including conflicts, disruptions to global supply chains and maritime chokepoints; which are placing additional pressure on African economies & food security. The potential impact of climate-related events was also highlighted. The two sides agreed on the need for concrete follow-up, including finalising the AU–UN roadmap, planned engagements in Libya - Sudan, identifying countries most vulnerable to food insecurity, & developing contingency measures through strengthened coordination & financing. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @UNOAU_ @UN @AfricanUnionUN

On the sidelines of the 81st Session of the #UNGA81 in New York, I had the pleasure of meeting H.E. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa @S_OkudzetoAblak, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana 🇬🇭@GhanaMFA . We discussed preparations for the Extraordinary Joint Session of the Executive Council on Financing the Union, scheduled to take place in Accra on 13 November 2026. In this regard, we underscored the importance of strengthening the Union’s financial self-reliance, enhancing Member States’ ownership and agency, and advancing the implementation of existing decisions on financing the Union, while continuing to ensure a prudent and strategic use of our ressources. We also touched on Ghana’s forthcoming Chairmanship of the @_AfricanUnion and the priorities being developed ahead of this important responsibility. I reaffirmed the Commission's readiness to provide the necessary institutional support to facilitate a successful Chairmanship and advance our shared Pan-African objectives. We look forward to continued engagement with the government of Ghana as we prepare for these important milestones and work together in support of a stronger, more sustainable and effective @_AfricanUnion. #AfricanUnion #AUGhana #AUChairmanship #FinancingTheUnion #PanAfricanism #UNGA81 #Agenda2063

This morning, on the margins of #UNGA81, I had the pleasure of joining leaders from government, the private sector and international institutions for the African Union–United Nations Top Table, convened by @GlobalAfricaBiz and @UNGlobalCompact as part of #UnstoppableAfrica2026. Under the theme “Building Together, Scaling Faster: Structuring Capital for Africa,” our discussion reinforced the importance of bringing our respective strengths together to match the scale of the opportunities before us. Public leadership, private capital, financial institutions, and development partners each have an important role to play. By working together, we can address constraints, make better use of available resources, and create the conditions for investment and enterprise to grow at scale. Our ability to work together is not secondary to delivery. It is part of how we deliver. This is the partnership we must continue to build: grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility, clear about what each partner brings to the table, and focused on what we can deliver together.

On the margins of #UNGA81, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission @ymahmoudali was joined by the UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres  at the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) high-level event, “Unstoppable Africa 2026: Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future", where they gave keynote address. In his address, the Chairperson underscored Africa’s immense opportunities, abundant natural resources, youthful population & market of 1.5 billion people. “Our ambition must now match this potential,” he said. He emphasised the need to move beyond the export of raw materials & accelerate Africa’s industrial transformation through stronger African value chains. “Removing tariff & non-tariff barriers through the African Continental Free Trade Area is essential, but not enough. Africa must move from market access to market power, from fragmented trade hubs to an integrated continental market, and from exporting resources to adding value within Africa,” he added. Mr. Youssouf further underscored that transformation requires affordable & abundant energy, quality, infrastructure, skills and technology, access to capital, & effective standards & certification. Above all, Africa must address the challenge of capital mobilisation by better channelling its significant financial resources; including savings, bank deposits, insurance & pension funds into productive investment across the continent. He also called for accelerated development of regional & continental corridors to strengthen connectivity & intra-African trade, alongside a conducive investment climate supported by sound institutions, effective regulation & good governance. Peace & stability remain fundamental prerequisites for investment & development. The AU is therefore advancing reforms in conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding & post-conflict reconstruction. “The message is clear: Africa must invest in Africa.” #GABI & #UnstoppableAfrica provide important platforms to translate ambition into action & mobilise collective resources for transformation. The Chairperson concluded by saying that our shared objective must be a prosperous, integrated & self-sustaining Africa driven by African value creation & empowered by African agency. The event brought together Heads of State and Government, CEOs, investors and innovators to discuss Africa’s economic potential, launch investment vehicles and advance infrastructure that keeps value and wealth on the continent. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…