On 5 July, SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga participated in the AUPSC’s 1220th meeting to brainstorm on the Summit of the Future scheduled on 22 and 23 September. The meeting, held in open session, was chaired by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola to the AU and AUPSC Chairperson for July, Ambassador Miguel Cesar Domingos Bembe.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Bembe recalled that the session aimed to provide a platform for the co-facilitators, Germany and Namibia, to brief the AU Member States on the continent’s progress, preparedness and readiness to participate in the Summit of the Future. He stressed that the session’s outcome should enrich the current draft Pact for the Future and propose actionable recommendations to be adopted at the Summit. He encouraged the continued engagement of the A3 and Member States with the international community and UN principals in New York.

Commissioner Bankole called on the UN and the international community to foster a smart, but rule-based multilateralism that recognizes and builds on the UN Charter, existing international norms and international humanitarian law, and to address the challenges to the implementation of the Agendas 2030 and 2063. He maintained that the Pact must seek to robustly address the pillars of development, peace and security. The Representatives of Namibia and Germany briefed on the content and progress of the finalization of the draft Pact. They explained that a Global Digital Compact (co-facilitated by Sweden and Zambia) and a Declaration on Future Generations have been developed.

SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga emphasized that the convening of the brainstorming session should aim at articulating the continent’s common position at the Summit of the Future, demonstrating Africa’s resolve to embrace a new future of peace and development that acknowledges the fundamental rights of States and their people, inclusive representation in global decision-making, access to education and digital technology —including artificial intelligence—and addressing the impact of climate change on peace.

He urged the AUPSC and the AU Member States to leverage the upcoming Summit through a consensus Pact to chart a new future for Africa. He reiterated the Secretary-General’s position on the irrevocable consequences of our choices and encouraged AU Member States to engage in multistakeholder consultations to build consensus on pending issues and focus on implementing the Summit's outcomes.

The Representative of the EU expressed support for a reformed multilateral system that guarantees the rights of States, human rights and global governance, and that provides for a new global financial architecture and greater roles of youth and women in decision-making. In the interactive segment, several participants stressed the importance of action-oriented recommendations and the need to institute a roadmap of the implementation of the outcome of the Summit. The meeting continued in a closed session and is expected to adopt a communiqué.