On 9 June, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga participated in a hybrid high-level panel discussion on “African Voices at the UN: Strengthening Multilateral Partnerships between Addis Ababa, Geneva and New York” organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Addis Ababa, in cooperation with Amani Africa. The High-Level Panel Discussion aimed at exploring avenues for enhanced multilateral partnerships as well as for stronger African voices at the UN, bringing together senior officials, diplomats and academic experts, with a focus on peace and security. The event offered a platform to discuss the role and opportunities of the AU and its partners in fostering meaningful connections between Addis Ababa, Geneva and New York. The event took place on the day of the UN General Assembly's election of five non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, for which Switzerland contested.

Opening remarks were delivered by the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the African Union (AU), Ambassador Pietro Mona, who spoke about Switzerland's role in furthering effective multilateralism. A keynote speech was delivered by Ambassador William Awinador-Kanyirige, on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye. This was followed by a panel discussion on “African Voices at the UN” between SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga; the Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya to the AU, Dan Ochieng; Director of Amani Africa, Dr. Solomon Ayele Dersso; Research and Teaching Fellow at the University of Geneva, Dr. Ueli Staeger; and moderated by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland, Oliver Hoehne.