Reform of the United Nations peace and security architecture is therefore aimed at ensuring that we are stronger in prevention, more agile in mediation, and more effective in peacekeeping operations.

The complex peace and security challenges we face in Africa are such that neither the United Nations nor the African Union can address the challenges on their own. Partnership is therefore not a choice but a necessity.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened the second AU-UN Annual Conference at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The second Annual Conference reviewed the implementation of the Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security and welcomed the progress made.