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This afternoon at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had a consultative meeting with members of the AU Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) from the Southern Region (Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa & Zambia) to discuss the Union’s institutional priorities, Africa’s global standing, peace & security, and regional cooperation. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of building a stronger, more efficient, financially autonomous & responsive AU, guided by Agenda 2063 & the collective aspirations of African peoples. Institutional reform & financial self-reliance The Chairperson @ymahmoudali outlined ongoing institutional reforms aimed at improving efficiency, accountability & measurable results, including multi-year, results-based budgeting, cost containment & administrative consolidation. He underscored the importance of fully implementing the 0.2% levy on eligible imports to strengthen the AU’s financial autonomy & ensure predictable resources for continental priorities. The PRC members of the Southern Region were encouraged to accelerate implementation of their collective financing decisions. On strengthening Africa’s voice globally The Chairperson reiterated the AU’s commitment to securing Africa’s rightful place in global governance, particularly through comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including permanent African representation with the same prerogatives as existing permanent members. He highlighted concerns over Africa’s exclusion from key global decision-making platforms, & stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s engagement in international affairs. Discussions also covered the launch of Africa Credit Agency & efforts of the AU to correct outdated world maps that misrepresent the true size of the African continent. On external partnerships, the Chairperson emphasised that commitments must translate into tangible results, calling for greater transparency & verifiable investments under initiatives such as the EU Global Gateway, particularly in infrastructure, connectivity & regional integration. On Peace, security and preventive diplomacy, the Chairperson underscored the need to modernise the AU’s Peace & Security Architecture & strengthen African-led responses to conflicts. He highlighted progress towards operationalising the African Standby Force through a legal framework agreed with the Regional Economic Communities & called for predictable financing & stronger Member State ownership of peace support operations. He expressed his appreciation to H.E. President @WilliamsRuto for his efforts towards AU reforms. The Chairperson stressed that conflicts must be addressed through dialogue & diplomacy. On issues of climate, health & migration, the discussions highlighted the need for coordinated continental action to address drought-induced food insecurity, climate-related emergencies & public health threats. Strengthening early-warning mechanisms, preparedness, surveillance and emergency response systems remains essential to protecting vulnerable communities. The Chairperson reaffirmed the importance of inclusive continental governance & meaningful participation by all regions in shaping the Union’s decisions. The meeting also considered ways to strengthen institutional capacity, including through Member State secondments & other arrangements that address skills gaps while avoiding duplication & preserving clear lines of accountability. The Southern Region PRC members thanked the Chairperson for his leadership & constructive engagement & reaffirmed him of their continued support. The Chairperson also thanked the members for their commitment to continental priorities & constructive engagements with them on behalf of the entire Union regionally & on global stages. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/20261014/auc-chair...