United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres asserted that the global governance structure is dangerously out of step with the modern world, declaring, "This is 2026, not 1946." He made the remark at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

Further, he emphasized that Africa can no longer be sidelined and must be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council to correct a long-standing historical injustice. Underscoring his commitment to the continent, Guterres pledged that for the remainder of his term, he will work to ensure Africa remains at the forefront of the United Nations' agenda, fostering a partnership between the two institutions that is stronger than ever before.

The Secretary-General praised the African Union's evolution, noting its journey from leading anti-colonial movements to its current role as a champion of "African solutions for African problems." However, he also issued a call for urgent action, urging the Union to intensify its efforts in resolving deep-seated instability in regions such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Beyond security, Guterres highlighted the climate crisis as a defining challenge, advising African nations to aggressively pursue renewable energy alternatives as a means of building economic resilience and meeting the continent's development goals. Closing his remarks with a demand for structural reform, he reiterated that a permanent African presence on the Security Council is essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of the international system in the 21st century.