On 19 February, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, participated in a high-level panel discussion on “Building Partnerships for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace and Development.” The event, held at the University of Addis Ababa, brought together esteemed global leaders to explore strategies for strengthening international cooperation in promoting peace and development across Africa. The panel included, H.E. Espen Barth Eide, Foreign Minister of Norway, H.E. Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy for Women, Peace, and Security and Dr. Solomon Dersso, Founding Director of Amani Africa (Moderator)

The discussion was centered on the increasing interdependence within Africa and between Africa and the global community. It provided a platform to enhance partnerships for Africa’s sustainable development and peace, fostering dialogue on advancing mutual knowledge and understanding to promote international cooperation and uphold a rules-based global order.

In both SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga’s remarks and those of the Norwegian Foreign Minister, challenges to the global norms-based order were highlighted and discussed, and the importance of upholding international human rights law and international humanitarian law were underscored. SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga focused his intervention on key articles of the UN charter, including Chapter VI, article 34, while all panellists reflected on Chapter VIII, especially considering the adoption of UNSCR 2719. AU Special Envoy Bineta Diop also underscored the importance of bringing women to the peace negotiating table, noting that this year UNSCR 1325 would mark its 25th anniversary. SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga also emphasised the importance of advancing the New Agenda for Peace and the Pact for the Future. Participating diplomats and students highlighted the need to address the concept of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and how to ensure it is facilitative to the implementation of peace, security and sustainable development initiatives.