In his acceptance speech for the rotating presidency of the African Union, during the 38th summit of AU Heads of State and Government, João Lourenço addressed the "immense problems linked to peace and security" on the African continent, "which constitute a blocking factor" to all initiatives and actions for the development of these countries, promising to put his experience at the service of the African Union in the search for solutions for peace and the implementation of economic and social policies that promote the progress of the continent.
It is the first time that Angola assumes the presidency of the organization of African states, in the same year that the country celebrates 50 years of independence.
João Lourenço also assured his commitment to the themes chosen by the AU and Angola, namely justice for Africans and people of African descent through Reparations and the importance of investment in infrastructure, as a factor in Africa's development, in dialogue with international partners.
He highlighted in particular the advantages of cooperating in a developed and industrialized Africa, with the capacity to overcome hunger, poverty, misery and unemployment, "thus reducing the likelihood of armed conflicts and illegal immigrants near its borders".
These are issues that will also be addressed at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, which will take place in Seville from 30 June to 4 July 2025, highlighting that this is "a historic opportunity to redefine global financing rules based on economic justice and inclusion".
"Issues such as tax justice, debt relief, climate finance, reforms in global financial institutions and social inclusion must receive our attention so that a common position can be adopted that guarantees the continent the strengthening of its influence in global financial governance, a reduction in the costs of debt and access to the resources necessary to achieve sustainable development," appealed the head of state.
During the Angolan presidency of the African Union that began on Saturday, João Lourenço also intends to launch "a vast plan to attract investment and raise significant financial resources" from major international partners, so that the African Union Commission can establish the bases and define the infrastructure projects to be carried out.
"I would like to highlight the contribution that Angola can make to the development of Africa, by making its surplus energy available to mitigate the needs of several countries in this field," he added.
João Lourenço also stated the importance of the Lobito Corridor and the Tanzanian Railways TAZARA, in intra-African and international trade, due to the role that these infrastructures could play in the interconnection between African countries and in the promotion of trade.
The Head of State also highlighted the central importance of Peace and Security issues, especially the program that establishes the "Silencing the Guns by 2030", which aims to transform Africa into a peaceful and secure region, indicating that he will present the actions he has undertaken mainly with regard to the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo).
The president who was the mediator appointed by the African Union in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda is now abandoning that role to focus on his role as president of the African Union, he announced in an interview with Jeune Afrique.
He also pointed out the international environment as "extremely challenging in view of the harmful effects of the conflicts that the continent is facing, as well as those experienced by Eastern Europe and the Middle East", a context that requires the United Nations to become more inclusive and the reform of the Security Council should be a fundamental priority for the continent.
João Lourenço also said that during this year of Angola's presidency he intends to work in coordination with the African Union Commission to mobilize greater financial resources by increasing the contributions of each Member State to implement projects and programs at continental level and reduce dependence on external financing.
The President of the Republic also said that Angolans "are to be congratulated" for the fact that the country is assuming the rotating presidency of the African Union for the first time, assuming that the mandate will have "many challenges" in the area of peace and the economy.
"Angolans are all to be congratulated for the fact that Angola [assumes the presidency of the African Union], it is not João Lourenço who assumes, but it is the country that assumes", said the head of state to Angolan public television (TPA), on the sidelines of the 38th summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, which took place until Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
He also stated that the mandate will have "many challenges, especially in the area of peace and security", taking into account the "difficult moment" that the African continent is going through, but also in economic terms, an area in which he promises to focus on mobilizing resources for the infrastructures that the continent lacks.
João Lourenço is committed to eliminating shortages in road and rail links, as well as air connections, to prevent journeys from having to pass through other continents to return to Africa, and in energy infrastructure.