Working at the heart of the AU-UN partnership
Having previously worked in political affairs at a strategic level in Brussels and Geneva, Addis Ababa has proven to be a truly unique duty station. As the diplomatic capital of Africa and home to the African Union (AU), Addis Ababa is where continental priorities are debated, shaped and translated into action. Working at the heart of the AU-UN partnership has given me hands-on exposure to the complexity and dynamism of multilateralism in Africa.
Since joining UNOAU in November 2025 as a French JPO in Political Affairs, I have had the privilege of working on a range of strategic and timely portfolios, including Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), genocide prevention, mis- and disinformation, and artificial intelligence. Not only are these issues critical to Africa, but they are also shared priorities of the African Union and the United Nations.
In just eight months, I have participated in several high-level AU-UN engagements, including the UN-AU Annual Conference, the France-UN-AU high-level meeting, and multiple sessions of the AU Peace and Security Council, where UNOAU plays a critical role in conveying UN's position on key peace and security issues. These past months have also given me the opportunity to coordinate the inaugural visit to Addis Ababa of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide.
The JPO programme has also given me the chance to contribute to the work of UNOAU beyond Ethiopia. In August, I will travel to Burundi for the Continental Dialogue on YPS, where, for the first time, UNOAU will co-organise a parallel session on the nexus between water security, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and YPS. In October, I will spend a month in New York at the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, which represents a tremendous opportunity to deepen my understanding of preventive diplomacy and early warning.
The system needs to remain youthful
Entering the multilateral system has never been easy for young people. And it has proven even more challenging in recent years. But the system needs to be youthful. Generations reinforce each other. Experience and fresh eyes complement one another. This is something that the JPO programme reflects well and encourages. It brings together people from different backgrounds and experiences, with a shared commitment to international solidarity. Working alongside colleagues from across the UN and the AU has shown me the value of that collective effort.
Despite those challenges, my experience as JPO at UNOAU has only reinforced my commitment to the principles that guide the work of the UN, namely respect for international law, multilateralism and human rights, and that dialogue remains vital. It will hopefully continue to serve as a compass for the international community.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United Nations Office to the African Union.
