United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for immediate reforms to global governance and financial systems, urging that Africa be granted permanent representation on the UN Security Council. Speaking at the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa on February 14, he described the continent’s exclusion from permanent Council membership as “indefensible.”

Addressing African leaders at the AU headquarters, Guterres argued that the current international political and financial architecture no longer reflects contemporary realities. “We are in 2026, not 1946,” he said, stressing that institutions established after World War II must evolve to accommodate Africa’s demographic, economic, and geopolitical weight.

Beyond Security Council reform, the UN chief urged structural changes to the global financial system, which he said places excessive interest burdens on African economies. He called for fairer financial conditions and more predictable funding for peacekeeping operations, particularly in regions affected by instability, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel.

Guterres also addressed the management of Africa’s mineral resources, warning against exploitation and emphasizing that African populations must directly benefit from the continent’s wealth. “Stop the exploitation. Stop the plundering,” he declared, calling for ethical governance and stronger accountability mechanisms.

As his term approaches its conclusion, the Secretary-General dismissed speculation about stepping back from African priorities. He reaffirmed that the continent will remain central to UN action until the end of his mandate.

The remarks, delivered at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, add renewed momentum to longstanding African demands for permanent representation in global decision-making bodies and reforms to international financial governance.