ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui on Monday stressed the need to exert concerted efforts to effectively respond to emerging security threats in Africa.
"The complexity of the dynamic security environment on the continent requires sustained engagement that aims to build a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence," Chergui said on Monday during the meeting of the UN Peacebuilding Commission and the AU Commission Peace and Security Council at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Noting the emergence of new threats and challenges such as the growing sophistication of terrorism, cyber and transnational organized crimes with an increasing impact of climate change, the AU Commissioner stressed that recent peace and security challenges in Africa have caused displacement and inter-community conflicts.
Chergui emphasized the need to deepen the AU-UN partnership in combating peace and security perils that are affecting Africa's stability.
"Both organizations have to continue working collaboratively to sustain peace in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 2063," Chergui said, as he highlighted the need to further strengthen recent progresses in a bid to achieving durable peace on the continent.
"Looking ahead, we need to reflect on how we can enhance national ownership of post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding processes while also supporting our member states' efforts to improve accountability, inclusivity, sustainability and especially to increase the meaningful participation of women and the youth in post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding," he added.
