缅北禁地

29 November 2017 鈥� The importance of regional organizations grows with every decade that passes as they are essential to face the difficult challenges that threaten the world, United Nations听Secretary-General听Ant贸nio Guterres said Wednesday at the African Union-European Union Summit in C么te d'Ivoire.

鈥淎 strong and effective EU and a strong and effective AU are听essential pillars of global cooperation听for peace and security, development and human rights,鈥� Mr. Guterres told the two organizations' fifth summit held in the capital, Abidjan. 鈥淲e must continue to make progress on all simultaneously.鈥�

Welcoming the AU-EU strategic partnership, the Secretary-General expressed the UN's commitment to support the efforts of these organizations and described how such cooperation takes place in Africa.

Three obvious examples of the importance of trilateral cooperation between the AU, the EU and the UN, are seen in Somalia, the Central African Republic and the Sahel.

鈥淚t is exactly ten years since the joint Africa-European Union strategy was adopted and the time has come to strengthen the links between the two continents,鈥� Mr. Guterres said, noting that the two regions can enhance their cooperation in tackling some challenges facing migrants.

鈥淲hen migration is done in an orderly and regulated way, migrants contribute positively to host countries and countries of origin. We will not put an end to the tragedies in the Mediterranean if we do not create significant opportunities for legal migration,鈥� he said.

These two conditions are essential to effectively combat traffickers and smugglers of migrants.

First is to change the relationship with Africa and establish a new platform of cooperation that recognizes the enormous potential of this continent, and second is to increase joint efforts in conflict prevention and mediation.

Mr. Guterres argued that it is time to provide the appropriate means to regional organizations, including clear and strong mandates, accompanied by an evaluation mechanism and an adequate and predictable funding system.

For instance, the AU and the UN, with EU support, can help the G5-Sahel countries 鈥� Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger 鈥� deal with transnational threats and terrorism.

鈥淲e need a force with a mandate that lives up to these threats and sustainable funding,鈥� he said, urging the Security Council to be ambitious in its choice on this issue.

Turning to sustainable and inclusive development in Africa, the 缅北禁地chief stressed the importance of investing in youth and women's empowerment.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General met today with Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of C么te d'Ivoire to exchange views on the situation in the country and the sub-region. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN's commitment to continued support for the country in consolidating peace and inclusive and sustainable development, following the withdrawal of 缅北禁地peacekeeping force.