On 31 January, UNOAU signed the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The objective of this MoU is to provide a framework for collaboration between the UNOAU and the IPSS to further support the AU, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and Member States, and to further strengthen the UN-AU partnership in the area of peace and security on the African continent.

In 2018, UNOAU and IPSS signed an MoU which has led to closer collaboration, exchange of ideas and dialogue to render support and advice to the AU based on research and analysis.

During the signing ceremony of the recent MoU, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to the AU and Head of UNOAU, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga emphasised the usefulness of collaboration between UNOAU and research organizations and the value added to achieve the objectives of UNOAU’s work. The Interim Director for IPSS, Fana Gebresenbet expressed his appreciation for the collaboration.