UN chief calls for permanent Security Council seats for Africa — Anadolu Agency
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called in New York for reforming the global governance system, including granting African countries permanent seats on the UN Security Council. He made the statement at the Unstoppable Africa 2026 forum, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Anadolu Agency reports.
Guterres also advocated reforming multilateral financial institutions. According to him, the international financial architecture was created by wealthy countries for wealthy countries and must better meet the needs of developing states, particularly in Africa.
Africa’s representation
The UN chief called Africa a “double victim of colonialism.” He explained that the continent’s historical subjugation prevented its countries from participating in the creation of international institutions after World War II.
In Guterres’ view, the UN Security Council and international financial institutions do not reflect Africa’s demographic weight and interests. He said the continent needs permanent seats on the Security Council so that African states can directly participate in making global decisions.
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Economy and natural resources
The UN secretary-general noted that global markets are moving from a model of doing business in Africa to cooperation with Africa. According to him, despite global shocks linked to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, Africa’s economy grew by 4.4% last year.
Guterres added that trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area could reach $230 billion this year. In his assessment, this creates an opportunity to retain a greater share of economic value on the continent rather than relying on raw-material exports.
He called for ensuring that African natural resources, including critical minerals, generate local added value and decent jobs. Guterres also urged multilateral development banks to increase concessional lending, finance climate change adaptation, and direct capital to women entrepreneurs.
