Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Saša Jurečko at the briefing on the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations (the African Union)

Thank you, Madam President,

At the outset, I wish to thank the briefers for their comprehensive contributions.

Madam President,

The African Union, subregional organizations in Africa and African countries have a key role in addressing peace and security challenges on the continent and globally. However, the interconnectedness of today’s security environment calls for our cooperation and united response. We strongly believe that strengthening partnerships between the UN and the AU can open new avenues to utilize our collective resources and expertise when looking for sustainable solutions to regional crises. 

We therefore welcome the organization of the Ninth Joint Informal Seminar and the 18th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between members of the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council that will take place later this month. Such regular meetings serve as an important platform to discuss key challenges to peace and security in Africa, including the impacts of climate change on peace and security, the implementation of women, peace and security agenda and youth, peace and security, the continuous threat of terrorism as well as to discuss the critical situations in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Great Lakes, the Sahel and Somalia.

I am also happy to inform that at the beginning of September, the Slovenian Presidency of the Security Council also held a fruitful exchange with Ambassador Churchill of Cameroon, Chairman of the AU PSC, on the respective bodies’ program of work. 

Madam President,

In Sudan, the unprecedented scale of forced displacement, the preventable hunger crisis, and the threat of another genocide in Darfur call for our collective efforts to reach a ceasefire and stop this man-made humanitarian catastrophe. We continue to stand behind the mediation efforts of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Lamamra, and his engagement with the regional partners, including the AU and IGAD.

Furthermore, just this Monday, the Council was briefed on the continued deadly activities by the armed groups in the DRC, leading to a high number of civilian casualties, massive displacement, and widespread sexual and gender-based violence. This is another situation that demands our full attention and where regional processes call for our support and cooperation. The adoption of resolution 2746 authorizing MONUSCO support to SAMIDRC is an important step in this regard. We have also seen an example of regional leadership in paving the way towards peace. We therefore again wish to commend President Lourenço of Angola for his mediation efforts through the Luanda process.

The joint UN-AU efforts in Somalia have provided invaluable support to the Somali security forces in their fight against Al-Shabaab. As we move forward, it is important to ensure that these security gains are preserved. We, therefore, stand ready to constructively engage in our upcoming discussions on the modalities for the follow-on mission to ATMIS.

Madam President,

Climate-induced challenges worsen the fragile security situations in regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, where droughts, desertification, and floods exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. They fuel conflicts over diminishing natural resources, worsen food insecurity, and displace entire communities. We need a common and comprehensive response to tackle these challenges effectively. We therefore welcome the UN-AU partnership on climate, peace, and security and the efforts to develop The Common African Position on Climate Change, Peace and Security.

Adopting the UN Security Council framework resolution 2719 on predictable financing of the African Union-led Peace Support Operations is a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen further the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU in maintaining peace and security and to enhance local ownership of managing conflicts on the continent. We welcome the work of the UN and the AU in setting up the joint AU-UN Roadmap to determine the way forward for the implementation of the resolution. We urge for the swift preparation of the groundwork and call for a continuous coordination, cooperation, and information exchange between the UN and the AU in unpacking this resolution.

Madam President,

In today’s interconnected world, we cannot achieve global peace and security without ensuring peace and security in Africa. Sustainable peace calls for an inclusive approach. We continue to advocate for full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women in all our joint efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts and tackle their root causes. Only by working together we can silence the guns and fulfill our promise of leaving no one behind.

I thank you.

Recent Statements