Luanda: The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ant³nio Guterres, on Monday considered it a great honor to speak before the National Assembly of Angola in the year in which the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence.
According to Angola Press News Agency, in the solemn plenary session held in his honor at the Parliament, Guterres highlighted the 'personal, deep and lasting bond' he maintains with Angola and recalled the visits he made as Prime Minister of Portugal and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. By evoking 'the darkest pages of colonial history', he recognized the struggle of the Angolan people for independence and highlighted that this struggle also influenced the Carnation Revolution in Portugal.
He also recalled the role played in the creation of the CPLP, alongside Angola, a moment that he classified as 'a very special honor'. The Secretary-General congratulated Angola on fifty years of independence, praised the 'pain, resilience and courage' that marked the country's journey, and highlighted the process of national reconciliation after the 2002 peace agreements, which allowed the return of more than 400,000 refugees. He also highlighted the United Nations' support for the peace process and repatriation.
He stated that the National Assembly symbolizes the transition 'from the thunder of weapons to living pluralism' and pointed out that Angola has held four peaceful elections since the end of the war. He welcomed the recent modernization of the electoral framework and considered that the capacity for dialogue in parliament 'sends a strong signal to the country and the world'.
Guterres highlighted Angola's regional and international role, mentioning its mandates on the United Nations Security Council, the presidency of the Peace Consolidation Commission, and its involvement in mediating the Luanda Process. He also highlighted the role of President Joo Louren§o in peace and reconciliation initiatives on the African continent, as well as the Angolan presidency of the African Union this year.
The UN leader reinforced Angola's commitment to human rights and recalled the country's recent election to the Human Rights Council (2026-2028), in addition to its active participation in discussions on the reform of multilateralism. He defended a more robust African presence in the Security Council and a profound reform of the international financial architecture, warning of the debt burden that limits Angolan public investment.
When addressing climate change, he drew attention to the severe impact of droughts in southern Angola and stated that, despite the progress made at COP30, international support remains 'below what is necessary'. In this context, he called for more financing for climate adaptation and highlighted that Angola 'did not cause the climate crisis, but suffers its consequences disproportionately'.
Guterres highlighted the decisive role of Angolan youth, which he described as an 'educated, connected and innovative' generation, and warned that youth unemployment threatens social cohesion. It encouraged a stronger inclusion of young people in decision-making processes, with priority given to education, professional training, and emerging sectors such as the green and digital economy.
He also praised the strong female representation in the Angolan parliament, around 40 percent, and highlighted legal progress in promoting gender equality. However, it reinforced the need to intensify the fight against violence against women and increase the female presence in decision-making positions.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to Angola through the 2024-2028 Cooperation Framework, aligned with the 'Angola 2050' strategy, which prioritizes inclusive development, the rule of law, social services, gender equality, climate resilience, and economic diversification. In conclusion, Ant³nio Guterres stated that Angola enters its fiftieth anniversary of independence 'at a new crossroads in its history', with the challenge of transforming peace into shared progress.
Therefore, he urged Angolan parliamentarians to take decisions that will shape the next fifty years and assured that the United Nations will remain at the country's side, convinced that 'Angola's success is a strength for Africa and the world'.
