As the European Union and the African Union mark 25 years of partnership, we are reminded that the future we aspire to is not built on promises alone. It is built on decisive action. Our “silver anniversary” is not merely a celebration; it is a call for action in the face of an increasingly divided world.
Multilateralism – the shared foundation of the EU and AU – is in crisis.
Multilateralism is under sustained assault. The institutions and norms that helped prevent great power conflict, lift millions out of poverty, and respond to global crises are fraying.
The UN Charter, a pillar of global stability, is systematically undermined. Conflicts intensify, international law is flouted, and diplomatic principles are side-lined. This is not merely a diplomatic breakdown; it is a full-scale assault on global governance.
When international relations are governed by force rather than law, no one is safe – neither Africa, Europe, nor the broader international community. We have seen this over and over again in the past years, and increasingly so now.
Yet, amid this turmoil, we are not powerless. In fact, the unity of Africa and Europe represents the best hope for the future. Together, we command over 40% of the votes in the United Nations General Assembly – an unprecedented capacity to shape global outcomes.
But this power must be wielded with urgency and clarity. The Pact for the Future – our ambitious framework for global cooperation – is not a wish-list; it is a test of our collective resolve to take responsibility and deliver tangible results.
What Kind of Crisis?
We face not just a geopolitical competition, but a crisis of trust, relevance and representation, against which we need to act together.
Trust – Global institutions are risking to lose credibility as major powers disregard international norms. Violations of the UN Charter have become more frequent, and international law is increasingly ignored. This erosion of trust in multilateral institutions diminishes their ability to preserve peace and stability.
Relevance – The multilateral framework built after World War II is struggling to address the challenges of the 21st century. The UN needs to be able to deliver on key global challenges that cannot be tackled by one country alone – such as peace and security / climate change / human rights. The UN is keen to reform, and we are keen to help that process be truly revolutionary.
Representation – The global system remains concentrated in the hands of a few powerful nations, leaving much of the world, especially emerging economies like Africa, side-lined from key decision-making processes.
Reform for Relevance
The world is shifting, and our multilateral institutions must evolve with it. The frameworks established after World War II, designed for peace, must now adapt to confront today’s challenges – climate change, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and growing inequality.
Reform is no longer optional; it is essential in an increasingly multipolar world. The UN, however, remains the cornerstone of the multilateral system, providing legitimacy and a platform for collective action. Its global membership ensures that all countries have an equal voice in decision-making processes.
But a UN Security Council disconnected from current global power dynamics is unsustainable. There is an urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, and accountable. We must address the historical injustice faced by Africa as a priority, while also enhancing representation for regions like Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
This is why Europe has long championed the reform of international institutions, including advocating for greater representation of Africa in bodies like the UN Security Council and the G20.
The EU fully supports the UN Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative, a bold plan to overhaul the UN in time for its 80th anniversary. This presents a critical opportunity for the organisation to become fit for purpose.
Equally, the global financial architecture must shift from crisis management to enabling sustainable development. Reforming International Financial Institutions and Multilateral Development Banks is no longer a distant goal – it is a necessary path toward equity and long-term stability.
2025 will be pivotal, with key UN milestones on the horizon: the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, the World Social Summit, and COP30. The success of these forums, and our progress towards the SDGs, is crucial for global prosperity.
The EU’s Role: Still Committed, But Evolving
The EU will not retreat. On the contrary, we see multilateralism and our partnership with Africa as two sides of the same coin. Africa is not a recipient – it is a co-architect of the global future. Africa’s future is integral to Europe’s own security, prosperity, and stability. Our partnership is rooted in shared interests and mutual benefit. Together, we represent a formidable bloc with the potential to reshape global geopolitics.
Yes, we will stay engaged on development finance – but not in yesterday’s terms. We are pivoting to long-term investment, sustainable infrastructure, and local ownership through the Global Gateway.
And no, we will not follow others in retreat. While we are not here to replace others, the withdrawal of USAID only deepens the urgency for us to stay engaged – and to do so in ways that are more political, more flexible, and more aligned with African priorities.
Yes, we remain committed to peace support. The European Peace Facility is delivering EUR 1 billion for African-led security. The EU is the African Union’s number one partner in peace and security, with 13 of our 23 civilian and military missions focused on the African continent. But this is just the beginning.
Africa is not just a beneficiary of peace and security efforts – it is a partner in shaping them. Together, we are natural allies in prevention and peacebuilding. This is why we have agreed to co-lead the Group of Friends of Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention in New York: to ensure that conflict prevention stays at the top of the global agenda, not just in words but in deeds.
But we must go further. Take Somalia. The threat posed by Al Shabaab affects us all. Over the past decade, the EU has invested billions in Somalia’s security and development. Countless African lives have been sacrificed. With the adoption of AUSSOM’s mandate, we have a new framework to work with. But frameworks alone will not deliver peace. What’s needed is predictable, long-term funding – including from the AU Peace Fund and the first-ever utilisation of UN Security Council Resolution (2719) – to ensure AUSSOM’s success.
Too often, the narrative surrounding EU-Africa relations is dominated by crises and conflict. This must change. Africa is a continent of immense potential. From infrastructure to clean technology, from regional integration to artificial intelligence, the future of the EU-Africa partnership must be one of shared opportunity and growth.
This is not only about meeting past commitments but also about forging new avenues for cooperation. We have the opportunity, through forums like the upcoming AU-EU Summit and Ministerial dialogues this year.
EU-Ethiopia Relationship
Ethiopia matters – not just to Africa, but to Europe. Your unity, stability and leadership are regional anchors. As the host of the African Union, your choices ripple far beyond your borders.
In 2025, we mark 50 years of EU-Ethiopia relations. After a few difficult years, we want to elevate this partnership – make it more political, more strategic, and more focused on tangible outcomes. Our support (EU + Member States) exceeds EUR 1 billion annually, trade EUR 2 billion. Trade is growing fast: From energy to digital, from education to innovation, this is a relationship built to last.
And it’s about people. Through Erasmus+, we are connecting Ethiopian students from Bahir Dar to Berlin, Addis to Amsterdam – not just across countries, but across generations.
Securing Peace in the Horn of Africa
The European Union is deeply committed in the region – politically, diplomatically, and operationally.
- In South Sudan, we urge restraint and a renewed political dialogue.
- In Sudan, we support an African-led mediation process and stand ready to play our part: co-host a pledging conference and support the protection of critical infrastructure.
- In Somalia, we insist on fair burden-sharing. The AU Peace Fund must be activated, and the UN must step in with assessed contributions.
Our position is simple: African solutions, international solidarity. The EU comes not as a teacher, but as a partner. With humility – but also with purpose.
A New Multilateralism: Shared Leadership, Shared Future
Africa and Europe have what it takes to lead the charge for a renewed multilateralism. This is not about nostalgia for a past order. It is about shaping a new era, where peace, prosperity and dignity are universal entitlements – not regional luxuries.
That new era is now. Let us act together – for Africa, for Europe, and for the world.
The above is remarks for the Arda Talk Series, Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs, 9 April 2025
Simon Mordue is Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Global Issues in the European External Action Service
