Note to Correspondents: Joint Communique of the Third African Union-United Nations Annual Conference.

• Position: Conference news

On 6 May 2019, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat convened the Third African Union-United Nations Annual Conference, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Secretary-General and the Chairperson welcomed the strong cooperation and collaboration between the two organizations, particularly in the implementation of both the 'UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security' and the 'AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development'.

They expressed their commitment to continue to deepen the strategic partnership between the two organizations in addressing peace and security issues and achieving sustainable development issues in Africa through a more integrated approach. Continued collaboration for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and other related instruments, including the Free Movement Protocol and the Single African Air Transport Market, was discussed, notably in view of their significant potential to boost regional integration, strengthen inclusive economic growth, generate jobs for young Africans, alleviate poverty and lead to more stable and peaceful societies. The Conference urged greater efforts to harness Africa's youth dividend, notably with investments in health, education, data and in science and technology.

The Secretary-General and the Chairperson agreed to reinforce joint efforts towards the implementation of the AU initiative on Silencing the Guns by 2020, in line with the press statement PSC/PR/BR.(DCCCXXIX) of the AU Peace and Security Council and resolution 2457 (2019) of the UN Security Council. This will include enhanced collaboration in conflict prevention and sustaining peace, as well as a thorough review of the factors that explain the protracted nature of some of the conflicts facing the African continent, with the view to agreeing on joint and decisive action to overcome the identified challenges. They also took note of the progress made in the implementation of the Joint Declaration on cooperation for AU peace support operations signed on 6 December 2018 in New York, and encouraged further efforts towards its implementation.

The Secretary-General and the Chairperson welcomed the strengthened cooperation and continuous efforts to promote gender parity and women's leadership; increased participation and inclusion of women in peace and mediation processes as well as recognized their vital role and contribution to sustainable development and economic growth. They also lauded the continued joint high-level missions on women, peace and security, and development, as well as the joint efforts...