The African Union (AU), European Union (EU), and United Nations (UN) leaders met on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, stressing that multilateralism remains the most effective way to address global crises.

The meeting brought together AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Senior officials from the three organizations also joined the dialogue, Xinhua reported.

In a joint communiqué, they condemned violations of international law and human rights, urging strict adherence to the UN Charter. Key discussions focused on peace and security in Africa, including ending the war in Sudan, countering terrorism in the Sahel, and supporting reconciliation efforts. They also backed the UN’s roadmap for reviving Libya’s political process and reaffirmed support for ongoing initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.

The leaders highlighted the importance of UN Security Council resolution 2719 on financing AU-led peace operations, and reiterated their collective commitment to sustainable peace, development, and the Sevilla Commitment to boost development financing and address debt challenges in developing nations.

They further called for reforms of Multilateral Development Banks under South Africa’s G20 presidency, as well as urgent global action on climate change, stressing ambitious pledges at COP30 in Brazil (Nov 10–21, 2025).

The three organizations agreed to reconvene in 2026 on the margins of UNGA 81.