At UNGA 80, Africa prioritises reform, peace, and equity, aiming to reshape a global order long tilted against its interests.
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) is scheduled to convene under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights” on 9 September 2025 in New York City. The event is set to bring together global leaders, including the United States (US) President Donald Trump, to address urgent issues and promote consensus in response to the world’s most pressing challenges. Representing 54 member states, the African Group (AG) constitutes the largest regional bloc within the UNGA. For Africa, the UNGA remains a critical platform for asserting its diplomatic influence, advocating for sustainable development, peace, and governance reform.
Central to Africa’s diplomatic engagement within the UNGA is its unwavering commitment to multilateralism. The continent has consistently endorsed the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), championing initiatives to advance environmental sustainability, foster economic growth, alleviate poverty, and improve healthcare and education. Africa’s contributions are pivotal in shaping global policies that address systemic inequities, particularly those rooted in the enduring legacy of colonialism and historical underdevelopment.
The African Group’s ability to present a unified front on issues related to sustainable development and humanitarian aid is vital to its influence in global governance. This collective strength is also evident in Africa’s focus on long-term goals such as reforming international multilateral institutions, protecting the environment, and promoting peace in conflict-affected regions.
African states call for diplomatic engagement over military intervention and insist that local actors, rather than external powers, should drive solutions.
Africa remains deeply involved in addressing conflicts within its borders and beyond. The continent is home to some of the world’s most enduring and complex crises, such as those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan, and the Western Sahara. The African Group seeks to utilise the UNGA to advocate for enhanced international efforts to address conflicts and foster peace. Furthermore, the African Union (AU) plays a key role in these peace efforts, frequently working in tandem with the UN and regional organisations. For example, the AU has led peace negotiations and peacekeeping operations in conflict zones such as Sudan and Somalia. The African position often emphasises the right to self-determination. African states call for diplomatic engagement over military intervention and insist that local actors, rather than external powers, should drive solutions.
Africa’s position on the Palestinian issue is a significant element of its diplomatic strategy, shaped by the continent’s historical experiences with colonialism and apartheid. While a majority of African states have historically expressed support for Palestinian self-determination, there is a growing recognition of the need for a balanced approach that prioritises peace, stability, and a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Within the framework of the UNGA, most African nations aim to champion Palestinian aspirations, but there is an increasing focus on encouraging dialogue and fostering regional cooperation. Although differences occasionally emerge regarding the specifics of certain resolutions, the overall stance within the African bloc emphasises a commitment to promoting peace and reconciliation, while recognising the necessity of addressing the legitimate concerns of all parties involved.
Concerning multilateralism, Africa’s commitment is exemplified by its strong support for the UN’s broader agenda—including the ‘Pact for the Future’.w—which seeks to enhance global cooperation to address climate change, health crises, and poverty. The African Group’s support for such initiatives underscores the continent’s desire for collaborative global solutions, especially in areas where African countries are disproportionately impacted, such as climate change and health disparities.
Africa calls for a fairer global trading system that does not exploit its natural resources but instead empowers local economies.
However, challenges persist in ensuring that multilateral agreements adequately address the needs of the Global South. For instance, while Africa supports global climate action, it insists that the Global North must take responsibility for historical emissions and provide financial support to African nations to strengthen their climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Similarly, in the context of resource exploitation, Africa calls for a fairer global trading system that does not exploit its natural resources but instead empowers local economies.
Despite these challenges, Africa remains committed to the UN’s multilateral framework as the most viable path to achieving global peace and sustainable development. Africa’s proactive role in adopting resolutions on climate action, poverty reduction, and healthcare demonstrates its belief in cooperative international solutions.
The reform of global governance institutions, particularly the UN Security Council (UNSC), is another key priority for Africa at the UNGA. Africa has long argued that the UNSC’s structure does not reflect the demographic or geopolitical realities of the post-Cold War world. Despite representing over 1.4 billion people, Africa has no permanent seat on the UNSC, a situation African leaders continue to deplore. The African Group advocates for greater inclusivity and equitable representation within the UNSC, calling for at least two permanent seats for African countries.
In addition to UNSC reforms, Africa has also called for improved collaboration between the UN and regional organisations such as the African Union (AU). This is particularly important in the context of peace and security. The AU has long played a leading role in addressing Africa’s conflicts, and there is growing recognition that regional solutions should be prioritised. However, Africa’s influence within the UN system remains limited without structural changes that would ensure greater decision-making power and partnership with regional bodies.
Africa’s economic agenda within the UNGA focuses on addressing the ongoing North-South divide, particularly in trade, finance, and development. The African Group consistently advocates for policies that create fairer economic systems, emphasising the need for greater access to global markets for African countries and improved trade conditions. One of the breakthroughs in this regard is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade and reduce reliance on external powers.
The African Group consistently advocates for policies that create fairer economic systems, emphasising the need for greater access to global markets for African countries and improved trade conditions.
At the UNGA, Africa also aims to voice its concerns about global food security. The continent faces significant challenges related to hunger and malnutrition, and African countries have called for recognising the right to food as a universal human right. Given the persistent threats posed by droughts, desertification, and political instability, Africa continues to garner/implore international support in tackling food insecurity, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
In conclusion, the UNGA offers Africa a vital platform to assert its diplomatic priorities, influence global governance, and advocate for sustainable development, peace, and justice. Despite challenges rooted in economic disparities, conflict resolution, and institutional reform, the African Group plays a vital role in shaping the trajectory of global affairs, pushing for a more just, inclusive, and equitable world order.
Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.
Anubhav Roy is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS), United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi.
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Dr. Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), where he works on geopolitics with particular reference to Africa in the changing ...
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Anubhav Roy is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies (CMHCS), United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi. ...
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