As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations under the theme “Building Our Future Together,” African civil society and leaders are pushing for a fairer, more inclusive global order.
On September 20, 2025, the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), officially launched a week-long series of CSO-led events on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (#UNGA80).
The events, in collaboration with TrustAfrica, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), the Women’s International Peace Centre (WIPC), Oxfam, and the Ford Foundation, running from September 20–25, feature the following: Africa CSO Engagement Launch, Saturday, 20 Sept | 14:00–17:00 EST; Commemorating 40 Years of Akina Mama wa Afrika; Saturday, 20 Sept | 17:00–20:00 EST; Colloquium on Diaspora Engagement and the Reparations Agenda, Monday, 22 Sept | 15:00–17:00 EST; Fireside Dialogue on 24 September 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST; BOLD: Bridging Opportunities for Transformative Leadership and Democracy: 24th September, 2025 from 2p.m. to 5 p.m. EST and a Strategic Roundtable: Africa’s Place in Global Governance-From Reflection to Action, Thursday, 25 Sept | 10:00–13:00 EST.
Opening the launch, Mr. Louis Cheick Sissoko, ECOSOCC’s Presiding Officer, underscored that challenges such as persistent conflicts, inequalities, and climate crises are not only African problems but global ones.
“ECOSOCC, alongside partners like TrustAfrica, WIPC, and Akina Mama wa Afrika, is driving change and creating platforms to address pressing issues such as health system resilience and climate-induced insecurity,” he said.
Dr. Ebrima Sall, Executive Director of TrustAfrica, congratulated the UN on its 80th anniversary and Akina Mama wa Afrika on 40 years of transformative leadership. He emphasized the urgent need for UN reforms, pointing to accountability gaps in global governance, financial regulation, and climate action.
Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament, highlighted the importance of African parliamentary diplomacy in advancing peace, security, and sustainable development. She emphasized that Africa’s youth remain a critical force for advocacy at all levels.
During a high-level panel discussion on Tracking the Pact for the Future, Moderator, Mr. William Carew, Head of Secretariat of ECOSOCC, had this to say, “We can’t keep doing the same things the same way and expect different results. As the UN reflects on its reforms, we too must ask: how do we do things differently to achieve better outcomes?”
Panellists, including Ms. Eunice Musiime (Executive Director, Akina Mama wa Afrika), Ms. Juliet Were (Deputy Executive Director, WIPC), and Mr. Omar Farouk Osman (President, FAJ), emphasized Africa’s need to champion its own blueprint; the AU’s Agenda 2063, while engaging with global frameworks like the Pact for the Future and the SDGs.
Ms. Musiime urged Africa to prioritize domestic resource mobilization, reparatory justice, and bold leadership for self-reliance.
Ms. Were stressed the essential role of women and youth in peacebuilding, calling for non-violence, stronger democratic processes, and community-level action.
Mr. Osman reiterated the need for civil society and media to hold leaders accountable and ensure transparency.
Together, the civil society leaders called for: A new, inclusive global order grounded in justice and accountability; urgent climate action and peacebuilding; bold, African-led development pathways; and stronger democracy, civic engagement, and inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
The discussions reaffirmed African civil society’s role as a powerful voice for change, committed to ensuring Africa not only participates in global decision-making but leads in shaping a just, equitable, and sustainable future.
