Elevating African Voices at the 80th UN General Assembly: Pan-African Parliament and ECOSOCC Unite

African voices take centre stage at UNGA80 as PAP and ECOSOCC collaborate to strengthen advocacy, civil society, and parliamentary diplomacy.

As world leaders converge in New York for the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) have joined forces to ensure that African voices resonate strongly on the global stage. The two organs of the African Union launched a series of events on Africa’s Civil Society Engagements at UNGA80, positioning citizens’ perspectives at the heart of international deliberations.

Aligning with the Pact for the Future

The initiative comes against the backdrop of the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future. This landmark global framework underscores inclusive multilateralism, sustainable development, and the need to re-engineer international cooperation. By aligning with its principles, PAP and ECOSOCC reaffirm Africa’s readiness not just to participate in global governance but to actively shape outcomes that reflect the aspirations of its people.

Speaking With One Voice

The launch event was an opportunity to harmonize strategies ahead of the high-level week of UNGA80. Speaking on behalf of PAP President H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, the Clerk of Parliament, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, highlighted the shared responsibility of PAP and ECOSOCC in carrying Africa’s mandate.

She noted that both institutions’ intertwined roles make collaboration not only desirable but essential:

“Through parliamentary diplomacy, the Pan-African Parliament delegation, led by its President, will champion peace and security, as well as sustainable development, on behalf of African citizens. We commend ECOSOCC for convening CSO engagements during UNGA80 and for leveraging African Parliamentarians’ capacity and shared mandate to strengthen and amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage.”

Complementary Mandates

As the legislative arm of the African Union, PAP has the authority to facilitate implementation of AU policies and ensure that Africa’s diverse populations are represented in continental and global decision-making. ECOSOCC, in turn, provides a formal platform for civil society organizations (CSOs) to influence AU institutions, policies, and programs.

By harmonizing their efforts, PAP and ECOSOCC create a united front that bridges parliamentary diplomacy with grassroots engagement, ensuring that Africa speaks not in fragmented tones but with a collective voice that reflects both institutional authority and citizen experience.

Elevating Africa’s Place in Global Governance

This collaboration signals Africa’s determination to ensure that the continent’s priorities: ranging from sustainable development and peace building to youth empowerment and reparatory justice, are not sidelined in the crowded agenda of UNGA80. Instead, African citizens’ aspirations are being advanced through both structured parliamentary representation and dynamic civil society advocacy.

As UNGA80 unfolds, the PAP-ECOSOCC partnership stands as a model of how continental institutions can work in tandem to elevate Africa’s presence in international diplomacy—amplifying the message that Africa is not only a participant in global governance but a co-author of its future.