Côte d’Ivoire at UN: Africa must have permanent representation on the Security Council

Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to call for renewed multilateralism, stronger diplomacy, permanent African representation on the Security Council and fairer access to development and climate finance. “The world is at a difficult turning point.” Koné warned that conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism, climate disruption, humanitarian crises and rising inequality are eroding trust in international institutions. He said restoring confidence requires institutions to treat every state — large or small — with the same standard of fairness and to translate international principles into concrete results. “For Côte d’Ivoire, this means reinvigorating multilateralism and restoring diplomacy’s rightful place.” On global conflicts, Koné expressed concern over the Middle East, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, while calling for dialogue to prevail over arms. “We therefore call for dialogue to prevail over arms.” He also reaffirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s support for Haiti and for mediation led by the United Nations, African Union and regional organizations. Africa’s security challenges were another central theme. Koné warned that violent extremism, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking continue to destabilize parts of the continent, particularly the Sahel. “No state can on its own overcome such threats in a definitive and lasting manner.” He called for greater regional cooperation, international solidarity and stronger investment in prevention, including action against poverty, inequality, youth unemployment and marginalization. On UN reform, Koné argued that institutions created after the Second World War no longer fully reflect today’s political, demographic and economic realities. Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed its support for an ambitious reform of the Security Council that guarantees permanent representation for Africa. “The real challenge is no longer to adopt new commitments, but rather to translate those already made into tangible results.” Koné also called for major reform of the international financial architecture so developing countries can gain more equitable access to resources for infrastructure, health, education, energy, industrialization and job creation. On climate change, he stressed that Africa contributes relatively…