African Union Pushes for Debt Relief, Investment, and Climate Financing in High-Level UN and EU Talks
BaseLine Team
22 Sep, 2025
Africa’s leaders are pushing for urgent action on debt relief, investment mobilization, and climate financing. The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, concluded a series of high-level meetings at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, pressing the UN and EU to back African-led solutions for sustainable development and economic resilience.
In a bilateral with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Youssouf highlighted Africa’s unsustainable debt burdens, the need for fairer international financial structures, and enhanced access to climate funds. Both sides stressed Africa’s growth potential and the urgency of reforming global credit systems to support development.
The AU–UN–EU trilateral, attended also by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, reinforced these priorities while tackling conflict and stability across the continent:
Sudan: Urgent push for a ceasefire and political solution.
Sahel: Coordinated approach to instability and reconciliation.
Libya: Support for the UN roadmap and migration management.
DRC: Backing ongoing peace initiatives.
Somalia: Commitment to sustainable financing for AU stabilization efforts.
Leaders also stressed the full implementation of the Sevilla Commitment to unlock investment, reduce debt burdens, and reform multilateral development banks. COP30 climate commitments, women’s leadership in peacebuilding, and adherence to international law were highlighted as critical for Africa’s future.
The AU, UN, and EU reaffirmed their support for multilateralism, African-led solutions, and upcoming joint initiatives, including the AU–EU Summit in Angola this November.
