Zambia calls for equitable multilateralism and security council reform at 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels

Brussels, 21st May 2025 —Zambia has delivered a compelling intervention at the 3rd African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Ministerial Meeting, held at the European Council in Brussels. The Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation , Hon. Mulambo Haimbe SC, MP in the statement reaffirmed Zambia’s strong commitment to inclusive multilateralism and renewed its call for the urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, Honourable Haimbe commended the conveners for facilitating critical dialogue between the African Union and the European Union. He expressed hope that the meeting would usher in a more inclusive global order, forged through strengthened cooperation and shared responsibility.

In his intervention, the Minister emphasised that Africa, despite being the largest regional group at the United Nations with 54 member states, continues to lack permanent representation on the UN Security Council.

He stated that this longstanding imbalance undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of global governance and called for urgent, comprehensive reform of the Council’s operating methods to ensure Africa’s voice is not only heard but decisively counted in international decision-making.

“Zambia aligns itself to the growing global consensus on the need for expeditious reform of the United Nations Security Council,” Honourable Haimbe declared. “It is imperative that Africa transitions from being the subject of global decisions to becoming a full participant in shaping them.”

The Minister further observed that while past multilateral cooperation has delivered important gains, recent global challenges, including rising protectionism, pandemics, and shrinking official development assistance are threatening the multilateral space.

He cautioned against inward-looking policies, which he said are detrimental to sustainable global progress.

Despite these challenges, Honourable Haimbe highlighted Africa’s leadership in advancing integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which now represents the largest free trade zone in the world, with 54 participating countries and a market size of 1.4 billion people.

Zambia’s role as a continental convenor was also noted, with the Minister recalling the recent hosting of the Digital Trade Forum under the AfCFTA banner, aimed at boosting intra- and inter-African trade through digital innovation. He reaffirmed that Zambia and Africa at large — is open for business, anchored on mutual respect, shared growth, and strategic partnerships.

Honourable Haimbe closed his intervention with a strong call for the urgent reform of the international financial architecture, stating that current systems remain restrictive for developing countries, due to high borrowing costs and limited access to concessional financing. He advocated for blended financing mechanisms and private sector mobilisation as essential tools for unlocking Africa’s development potential.

“It benefits both our continents to work together to address global challenges for peace, equality, and prosperity,” he concluded.

The AU-EU Partnership was formally established in 2000 in Cairo and has traditionally convened every three years. The 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting is the first high-level event since the 6th AU-EU Summit held in Brussels in 2022. It serves as a platform to review implementation of previous summit outcomes and prepare for the 7th Summit, scheduled to take place in Africa in the second half of 2025.

Honourable Haimbe is accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, and other senior officials.