(MENAFN) According to reports, the African Union (AU) on Monday urged for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council, along with equitable participation in international financial institutions, during the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.

AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted the “uncertainty that prevails on the international scene,” citing rising conflicts, terrorism, and extremism, alongside Africa’s own political, security, and development challenges. He stressed that Africa must assert itself amid global rule erosion, noting that “the rules of the World Trade Organization are torn, and the UN Security Council’s actions are limited due to conflicts of interest and antagonism between big decision-makers.”

Youssouf called for Africa’s permanent seat on the Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus, and equitable representation in financial institutions. He also urged reform of global financial systems to reduce African capital costs and improve access to funding, emphasizing Europe’s crucial role in supporting this transition. He advocated for more balanced trade partnerships, stressing Africa’s shift from being a raw material supplier to a key participant in global value chains.

He added: “I'm pleading for European investments in the transformation process of our minerals on the continent… a stronger and more viable multilateralism based on equality, respect for all nations, and advancing the common vital global interest.”

European Council President Antonio Costa highlighted the importance of consolidating AU-EU relations to enhance geopolitical influence for the benefit of citizens.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the summit, warning that multipolarity alone does not guarantee peace and prosperity. He stressed the need for interconnected multipolarity with inclusive networks in trade, development, and finance, and emphasized Africa-Europe cooperation as a potential central axis in the global order. Guterres pointed to ongoing crises, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza, Sudan, and other conflicts, underscoring the urgency of stronger multilateral governance. He also backed permanent African seats on the Security Council as a remedy for historic injustices and to strengthen global peace efforts.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of joint efforts in trade, investment, and job creation, calling for economic diversification and local capacity building across Africa. She stressed that investments in local processing, renewable energy, and infrastructure should prioritize African employment and skills development. Von der Leyen noted that only 2% of $2 trillion invested globally in clean energy in 2024 reached Africa, despite the continent holding 60% of global solar potential. She highlighted initiatives like the “Scaling Up Renewables in Africa” campaign and pledged over €400 million ($461 million) for clean cooking projects.

Angolan President and AU Chair Joao Lourenco called for fairer debt restructuring and innovative financing to empower Africa’s development, stating: “We are in dire need of a new vision for the financing relationship between Africa and international lending institutions so that we can invest in development without being stifled by unsustainable debt.”

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