Secretary-General's remarks to the Africa Dialogue Series [as delivered].

Welcome to the Africa Dialogue Series.

As we look to build and bolster multilateralism, we need strong coalitions across international and regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia, the media and more. The Africa Dialogue Series is an important part of this effort.

The United Nations and the African Union are deepening our strategic partnership in all areas. We confirmed this once again at the AU-UN Annual Conference earlier this month, when the United Nations and the AU agreed to continue our cooperation on climate action, on implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, on human rights, humanitarian issues and more.

Our joint commitment to peace and security on the African continent was demonstrated most recently in February, when the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2457 on steps towards ending conflict in Africa through enhanced international cooperation and partnership. We are working together on conflict prevention, including through the African Women Leaders Network and the AU's Silencing the Guns Initiative. I will continue to push the Security Council for assessed contributions to finance AU-led peace support operations, and to work with you on the agreed frameworks, including on cost-sharing.

While we have made some progress in our peace efforts, we face headwinds.

In Libya and Sudan, we need urgent coordinated action to stabilize the situation and pave the way for sustainable peace. In the Central African Republic, we welcome the peace accord brokered by the African Union and will work closely with you on national reconciliation and peace consolidation. In South Sudan, we will continue protecting civilians, as we support the peace process and move towards longer-term stability.

The African Union has chosen 'Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa' as its theme for 2019 and for this Dialogue Series.

African countries have a long record of keeping their borders, doors and hearts open to refugees and internally displaced people - an example not followed by everyone in the world. This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity Refugee Convention and the tenth anniversary of the Kampala Convention on Internally Displaced Persons - the only regional convention of its kind.

During my time as High Commissioner for Refugees, I witnessed the solidarity and hospitality of African countries. Many...