UNOAU’s political affairs work strengthens the joint UN–AU partnership on peace and security across the continent. Through regular political analysis, conflict assessments and strategic advice, UNOAU supports evidence-based decision-making and the development of coherent UN–AU approaches to prevent, manage and resolve conflict.
UNOAU works closely with the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security to advance the African Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture. The Office also helps ensure that sub-regional perspectives inform UN–AU engagements by supporting trilateral coordination with Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms.
In support of conflict prevention and mediation, UNOAU facilitates Good Offices missions of the SRSG UNOAU to address root causes, align preventive approaches and promote sustainable peace. The Office also provides substantive support to AU-led work on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and security sector reform. This includes advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and promoting climate action for peace as cross-cutting priorities.
UNOAU further coordinates with the African Union Partnership Unit at UN Headquarters on major areas of cooperation, including the preparation of One-UN statements for Peace and Security Council meetings, AUPSC-UNSC (Council-to-Council) and AUPSC-UNPBC relations, and monthly informal consultations between the Presidents of the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council.
UNOAU also contributes to the organization and follow-up of statutory meetings outlined in the UN–AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, including the Annual Conference between the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the Joint Task Force meetings and the Desk-to-Desk consultations involving the UN, the AU and the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms.