I will make three points.
First, the UK welcomes the African Union's leadership in championing multilateralism and supporting stability and prosperity across Africa. We praise the AU's work driving and sustaining peace and security on the continent and its focus on putting women and youth at the centre of peace-making, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
We welcome African leadership in this council and have long supported permanent African representation.
Second, we reaffirm our support for the deepening cooperation and partnership between the UN and the AU to advance our shared objectives. This is especially evident in Somalia.
We express our gratitude to the AU and troop contributing countries who, with the coordination and input of the UN Support Office for Somalia, have worked tirelessly to improve security in Somalia through the ATMIS mission.
We look forward to receiving the proposals by the UN and AU, in consultation with Somalia and international stakeholders, finalising the mission design for ATMIS' successor, in line with Resolution 2748.
It is imperative that the final mission is financially viable and deliverable, and that it supports Somalia's efforts to eventually assume full responsibility for, and ownership of, its security.
Third, we welcome the work of the joint UN-AU taskforce to prepare implementation of Resolution 2719, including in the critical areas of joint planning and decision making, financing and budgeting, human rights compliance, and protection of civilians. Sustained close collaboration between the UN and the AU will be essential to ensure 2719's success.
We encourage member states to continue to support the AU in developing their frameworks. We look forward to receiving the joint roadmap, including a realistic assessment of needs and timeframes, and welcome this Council being kept updated on progress.
President, in conclusion, the UK looks forward to further collaboration, cooperation and partnership between the UN and the AU. This will be vital to help silence the guns and tackle the greatest challenges and conflicts on the continent.
We look forward to the consultations between the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council later this month.
