“The African Group supports the principle of complete nuclear disarmament as prerequisite for maintaining international peace and security. (…). The Group maintains that, achieving the total elimination of nuclear weapons should be the overall objective of the United Nations. The Group wishes to express its deep concern over the resistance by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals, in accordance with their legal obligations and undertakings under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). (…). The total elimination of nuclear weapons remains the only absolute guarantee against their use or threat of use. In this context, the Group reiterates the urgent need for our planet to be free of nuclear weapons, as their presence constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security and an existential threat to humanity.” H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦 to the @UN, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the #UNGA81 Thematic Debate of the First Committee on Nuclear Weapons #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #TheAfricaWeWant

“Africa contributes less than four per cent of global emissions. Yet extreme weather affected at least 13 million people on the continent last year and killed more than 3,000, according to the State of the Climate in Africa report, and climate-related costs can reach five per cent of GDP in African countries. A strong El Niño is now forecast, and the African Union has urged Member States to prepare and to act before the hazard arrives. Trust in this process will return when commitments made are commitments kept. (…) The Bonn sessions made no progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation. We call on Parties to settle this at Antalya, building on the indicators adopted in Belém, so that the Goal guides investment in national adaptation plans. The Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, for its part, must be adequately capitalised, with procedures that let African countries draw on it quickly when disaster strikes.” H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦 to the @UN, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the special event of the President of the General Assembly “A Planet fit for the Future: Restoring Trust through Climate Action”. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #NowForClimate #TheAfricaWeWant #globalwarming

@AfricanUnionUN: Handing-over ceremony between the outgoing Chair of the #AfricanGroupUN, H.E. Amb. Zéphyrin Maniratanga, PR of #Burundi 🇧🇮to the #UN (@BurundiOnu), and the incoming Chair for the Month of October, H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦 to the @UN. They exchanged on the activities of August and September, and the upcoming agenda for October 2026. #Agenda2063 #TheAfricaWeWant

“The African Group congratulate Mr. Volker Türk on his reappointment and reaffirms its willingness to work constructively with him and his Office to support our common goal of promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. (…). The African Group reaffirms its commitment to the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights. The Group places particular importance on the Right to Development. For Africa, the realization of human rights cannot be separated from the eradication of poverty, inequality, and exclusion, and from creating the conditions necessary for sustainable development. We therefore encourage the Office to continue strengthening its work on the Right to Development and to support efforts to address the structural obstacles that continue to impede its full realization. (…). The Group reiterates that the effective promotion and protection of human rights requires a balanced approach that gives due attention to civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, including the Right to Development.” H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦 to the @UN, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the #UNGA81, 3rd Committee on #UNAFRI, during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights (#OHCHR), Mr. Volker TÜRK #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #TheAfricaWeWant

“Climate change undermines development gains across Africa, despite the continent’s limited contribution to global emissions. We reaffirm the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. (…) We support accelerated implementation of the Sendai Framework and the Early Warnings for All initiative. Warning systems must reach communities and enable action, supported by reliable data, local preparedness and sustained financing for maintenance.(…) Progress must be visible in daily life: a farmer sustaining a harvest, a community warned in time, a household with reliable electricity and a young person finding work.” H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the #UNGA81- 2nd Committee General Debate on Sustainable Development. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #SDGs

“Africa’s natural resources, human potential and financial assets must support its own transformation. African States must be able to realise the full value of their resources. The “sovereignty deficit” identified in the reports concerns the practical capacity to value assets, negotiate fair agreements, enforce contracts and retain revenues. Addressing these constraints requires stronger African institutions and expertise, alongside fairer international partnerships. (…). The growing demand for Africa’s resources must translate into stronger African economies and more resilient communities. Its value will be measured by the industries we build, the employment we create, and the lasting benefits delivered to African people.” H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦,on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the Joint Debate of the @UN General Assembly on Africa’s Development – 2nd Committee. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #SDGs

“Our continent needs investment in industrial capacity, regional infrastructure and value addition, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area. African economies must retain more value from their resources and create opportunities for young people.(…) In line with the African Common Position on Food Systems, we call for sustained investment in smallholder farmers, women and young entrepreneurs, alongside irrigation, research, storage, processing and regional trade. (…) Africa brings clear priorities, national efforts and a determination to advance its transformation. The African Group will work constructively towards outcomes that make financing serve development and ensure that no one is left behind.” H.E. Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the 81st Session of the #UNGA81- General Debate of the 2nd Committee, on Economic and Financial Committee. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030

#UNSG Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura briefed the #AfricanGroupUN on the UNON’s Conference Facilities Project, stressing that the project will create a modern venue in #Kenya 🇰🇪 for global meetings in #Africa. The groundbreaking ceremony in May 2026, attended by the @UN Secretary-General and President William Ruto, launched the facility’s construction which is a valuable investment in #Nairobi’s position as the UN's African headquarters and a hub for international diplomacy. @_AfricanUnion Member States were encouraged to support this project as an opportunity to enhance Africa’s cultural identity and heritage through the UNON and strengthen Africa’s role in global affairs. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #UNON

Today, the #AfricanGroupUN was briefed by H. E Amb. Ernesto S. Guzmán, Permanent Representative of #Cuba to the United Nations, on the situation in his country. He presented the main findings of the updated Cuban national report detailing the impact of the embargo imposed on Cuba. This briefing session was done ahead of the #UN General Assembly's formal consideration of this agenda item, scheduled for October 27 and 28, 2026. #Agenda2063

“During my chairmanship, I will prioritize advancing the implementation of the Pact for the Future through close engagement with the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. Our focus will be on translating global commitments into concrete outcomes for #Africa, in alignment with Agenda 2063, while strengthening coordination between the African Group, the African Union and the United Nations.” H.E. Ambassador Penda Naanda, PR of #Namibia 🇳🇦 to the @UN, and Chair of the #AfricanGroupUN for the month of October 2026. #TheAfricaWeWant #Agenda2063 #ThePactForTheFuture #Agenda2030

“For the African Group, road safety is far more than a transport issue. It is a development imperative, a public health priority, a matter of social equity and an essential component of sustainable development. Safer roads save lives, strengthen economies, improve access to education and healthcare, and contribute directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. […] The world will not achieve the global target of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 unless meaningful progress is achieved in Africa. Investing in road safety in Africa is therefore not simply an investment in one region. It is an investment in our shared future. It is an investment in sustainable development, inclusive growth, stronger health systems and, above all, in protecting human life. Let this High-level Meeting reaffirm our collective determination to turn commitments into implementation, cooperation into tangible support, and ambition into safer roads and safer lives for all.” H. E Amb. Penda Naanda, PR of Namibia 🇳🇦 to the @UN, on behalf of the #AfricanGroupUN at the High-level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety @GA. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #TheAfricaWeWant

This morning, the C-10 Permanent Representatives met with the President of the 81st Session of the @UN General Assembly to discuss reforming the UN Security Council and the upcoming Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process. The C-10 highlighted the @_AfricanUnion Common African Position from the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. They emphasized the need for a clear and inclusive #IGN process that aims for a more representative and effective Security Council. The C-10 also reiterated Africa's demand for two permanent seats, including veto rights, and two non-permanent seats, showing commitment to working with all stakeholders for reform. The C-10 reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with all Member States and relevant stakeholders to achieve long-overdue reform of the Security Council. #Agenda2063 #Agenda2030 #UNSC #AUPSC