Remarks by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese United Nations Security Council Open Debate under the agenda item “Maintenance of International Peace and Security” - Strengthening the role of the African state in addressing global security and development challenges - May 23rd, 2024

I thank the Secretary-General and the African Union Commission Chairperson for their briefings.

I commend Mozambique for convening this open debate, which is also an opportunity for us to celebrate Africa Day, on May 25th.

We thank your delegation for recalling, in the concept note for this discussion, the ground-breaking PRST 4 of February 2011 on the interdependence between security and development. We are proud to have proposed it during our presidency then. Today we are still guided by its fundamental assertion that security and development are "closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing and key to attaining sustaining peace."

This idea is also present in the Agenda 2063, which aims for a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth, sustainable development, and a peaceful and secure continent.

Mr. President,

Regarding capacity and governance, the most effective contribution the international community can make is knowledge-transfer and training. African countries know their challenges better than anyone else and we must be ready, on their demand, to forge partnerships to enhance their ability to solve their problems. That is precisely what South-South and triangular cooperation provides. Brazil greatly participates in such effort.

 With regards to representation, allotting two permanent seats to Africa in an expanded Security Council is imperative and urgent. The absence of real progress in the IGN delays bringing Africa and other unrepresented regions to their rightful places in this body.

One positive recent development was the admission of the African Union as a new member of the G20, which Brazil fully supported. As G20 President for 2024, Brazil has been working hard to ease the AU’s integration into all the group’s work streams.

As Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2024, Brazil is particularly pleased that the organizational committee has approved its proposal for granting a standing invitation to the African Union to participate in our meetings. The PBC’s accumulated experience in promoting national ownership, inclusivity and institution-building also provides useful guidelines for countries that seek sustainable development and security as their way forward.

As we prepare for the peacebuilding architecture review, we count on the essential contribution of African views to enrich the process.

Mr. President,

Enhancing the ability of African states to influence critical international decision-making also requires opening up space in the governing bodies of the IFIs. This is not simple, but along with much greater access to funding, it must be done so as to ensure that the international financial architecture becomes fit for purpose again.

What we all need is a global economic, financial and trade architecture that allows developing countries to fulfill their potential. This is essential for the attainment of the goals of the African Union Agenda 2063, which will lead to a safer and more prosperous Continent and a better world for all.

Thank you.