5th African Group-EU Informal Dialogue in New York

Hosted at the African Union Mission, the meeting gathered, in a collaborative spirit and with strong participation, Ambassadors from both the 54-member African Group and the EU to discuss the future of multilateralism and the implementation of the Luanda Summit’s outcomes in context of the UN system. The dialogue was co-chaired by the EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, the Permanent Representative of Liberia, Ambassador Lewis Garseedah Brown II, as AG Chair for February, and the AU Head of Delegation, Ambassador Mohamed Edrees.

The African Group and EU are bridge-builders here at the UN: our cooperation has built bridges on which others can walk. Together, we can achieve results that benefit the entire UN. 

~EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis

This year's dialogue focused on two main themes: the future of multilateralism in the current global context and ways to advance the outcomes of the 7th AU-EU Summit in the UN NY context. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the EU and AG, recognizing their collective role in upholding the UN’s principles and addressing global challenges at a time of mounting challenges to the core values of the UN itself. 

Furthermore, participants reflected on past shared successes, such as advancing the Pact for the Future together or the decision to finance UN peacebuilding through the regular budget, demonstrating how joint efforts create opportunities for broader impact. There was a clear consensus amongst all present Member States on the importance of addressing the current challenges to the multilateral system, which is under pressure. The shared diagnosis of the state of affairs led to the general agreement that this is a window of opportunity that needs to be seized in order to implement meaningful reforms and revitalizations of the UN, particularly in areas such as peace and security, institutional efficiency, and structural under-representation in UN decision-making bodies.

The atmosphere was open and collaborative, especially energized by the bonding experience of bracing the freezing temperatures of New York City for a family photo. Both sides concluded that coordination must evolve towards structured, strategic alignment and tangible outcomes at a crucial juncture in the history of the UN.