Building Peace, Together: the UN Peacebuilding Commission’s visit to Addis Ababa

The visit of the UN Peacebuilding Commission to Addis Ababa, headed by Ambassador Beutin, Germany’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, was a key opportunity to strengthen the cooperation on peacebuilding and sustaining peace between the United Nations and the African Union.

The United Nations and the African Union (AU) share the same mandate: prevent conflict, sustain peace and help countries navigate the complex path from fragility to resilience. With rising challenges and shrinking resources, cooperation is essential.

As we celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, the exchange with local, young peacebuilders highlighted why their inclusion and meaningful participation in sustaining peace and security matters. Young people are not simply beneficiaries, but co-creators of peace.

As chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in 2025, Germany extended the deep gratitude to the AU Peace and Security Council, to the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Mahamoud Youssouf, as well as to the government of Ethiopia for the warm welcome and the valuable exchange within the annual consultations.

Peacebuilding gains strength when those closest to the realities on the ground lead the way and international partners back their efforts. As chair of the PBC and even beyond this mandate, Germany is committed to further strengthen the close partnership between the UN and the AU.