New AU agreement highlights "most important partnership": UN Chief

The UN and the African Union (AU) signed a new development pact on Saturday as the 30th AU summit got underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said that working "side by side" with the AU, represented "the most important" single partnership that the UN has.

Standing alongside Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the AU; after signing the new Framework for the Implementation of Africa's Agenda 2063, and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; the UN chief said the continent was key to solving global problems.

He said lasting peace could not be achieved globally, without Africa and its leaders working to end conflicts at home, and making more headway on conflict prevention and resolution.

Mr. Guterres praised progress made on furthering human rights across Africa and African countries' willingness to accept refugees and migrants.

Saturday's new agreement follows last April's signing of a landmark framework on security and peacekeeping cooperation, between the AU and UN.

The UN Head also addressed a high level event in Addis Ababa on the drive to end hunger in Africa by 2025.

UN Radio/GBCONLINE
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