President Lungu opens C-10 joint summit on UN Reforms

President Lungu, Sierra Leone President Dr. Ernest Koroma and Namibia’s President Hage Geingob after the official opening of the African AU Committee of Ten Heads of State Summit on the UN Reforms of the Security Council at David Livingstone Safari Lodge in Livingstone…Picture State House

Republican President Edgar Lungu says it is regrettable that 70% of the United Nations Security Council agenda is on Africa, while Africa remains the only region totally excluded from making decisions on issues affecting it.

And President Lungu says there is need to re-ignite the demand for Africa to be heard and granted its place at the Security Council table.

President Lungu says without addressing this grave, discrepancy, the United Nations risks negating the gains of its 70 years of advancing democracy, equity and inclusiveness.

Speaking during the official opening of the African Union (AU) Committee of Ten Heads of State Summit on the UN Reforms of the Security Council in Livingstone today, President Lungu says UN continues to adapt to the changing geo-political landscape on a number of fronts.

President Lungu says it is now 70 years since the United Nations came into existence and during this time the organization has performed in accordance with its original mandate as stipulated in the charter.

President Lungu says it is a matter of regret that as far as the Security Council is concerned, the UN has fallen short on adapting to the evolving demands of the global community.

He says he is reliably informed that recent dynamics during the negotiations at the UN presented challenges to Africa’s quest to attain a just and equitable representation in the UN Security Council.

The Head of State says it is incumbent upon the members, as torch bearers of the Ezulwini consensus, to rise to the challenge and ensure Africa’s geo-political presence in the un security council.

He says this year marks 10 years since the adoption of the Ezulwini consensus and the Sirte Declaration which are the bedrock of the African common position on the reform of the UN Security Council.

President Lungu says Africans, are confident that the demands and expectations will be met but that it calls for unwavering focus and consolidated effort as a united front to realize the goal of a reformed, inclusive UN Security Council.

President Lungu has emphasized that his government will remain committed to the aspirations of the committee of ten whose agenda is to spearhead the required reforms in the UN Security Council.

And African Union (AU) Committee of Ten Heads of State Coordinator Dr. Ernest Koroma says Africa is at a critical period of its mandate to converse the African position on the UN Security Council.

Dr. Koroma, who is also Sierra Leone President, says this is the right time to review the circumstances of the Security Council representation of the UN and adopt measures that will give it new dynamics.

The summit was held under the theme: The Livingstone strategy for accelerating the UN reforms.