The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui was received at the UN Headquarters by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon in New York, on 22 March 2016.

The Commissioner thanked the UN Secretary General for receiving him and conveyed the greetings of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. They discussed the latest developments in Libya, Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, DRC, Burundi and Western Sahara as well as the issue of sustainable and predictable funding for AU led peace operations. They also expressed concern on the spread of terrorism and the need to step up efforts in the fight against the scourge.

The UN Secretary General and the Commissioner for Peace and Security expressed their mutual appreciation for the growth and strengthening of the partnership between the AU and UN. They reiterated the importance for the AU and the UN to maintain close cooperation and coordination in addressing the peace and security challenges on the continent.

The Commissioner reiterated the AU's full support to the Secretary General in the discharge of his responsibilities as mandated by the Security Council and its deep appreciation for his integrity and relentless efforts to address conflict situations across the continent in order to achieve sustainable peace and development.