President John Dramani Mahama recently held discussions with Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister, Jeenbek Kulubayev, on strengthening cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN). The meeting was part of Ghana's diplomatic engagements ahead of significant roles both countries are expected to play at the multilateral level in 2027. President Mahama is set to assume the chairmanship of the African Union in January 2027, while Kyrgyzstan will begin its tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, President Mahama and Minister Kulubayev discussed strategic cooperation between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan, with a focus on collaboration within multilateral institutions. They reviewed the state of Ghana's bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan and explored areas of mutual interest. The discussions covered the recently signed Visa Waiver Agreement, which aims to facilitate travel between the two countries and strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The meeting also touched on cooperation in the mining sector, as well as measures to increase investment and expand economic relations between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan. President Mahama shared his views on how the AU and the UN can work more effectively together to address conflicts and promote peace and security. A key area of discussion was UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which provides a framework for greater cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union on financing and supporting AU-led peace support operations.
President Mahama stressed the need for effective coordination between the two institutions to help address conflicts and create opportunities that can improve the lives of the people they serve. He also expressed appreciation to Kyrgyzstan for its support for a Ghana-led initiative at the United Nations concerning the trafficking and enslavement of Africans. The support reflects the growing cooperation between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan at the multilateral level.
Minister Ablakwa disclosed that Minister Kulubayev conveyed an important message from President Sadyr Japarov, who has accepted an invitation from President Mahama to attend Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary celebrations in March 2027. The visit would mark another high-level engagement between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan and comes at a time when both countries are preparing for increased responsibilities within the international system.
The discussions between President Mahama and Minister Kulubayev demonstrate a shared interest in strengthening multilateral cooperation, promoting peace, and expanding opportunities for citizens of both countries. For Kyrgyzstan, its upcoming membership of the UN Security Council will provide an opportunity for closer engagement with other countries on issues of international peace and security. Ghana, meanwhile, is seeking to strengthen its partnerships with countries across different regions while preparing for its expected role as chair of the African Union.
The engagement is part of efforts to deepen the relationship between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan and move cooperation beyond diplomatic ties into practical areas of mutual interest. Both countries are expected to play significant roles at the multilateral level in 2027, and their cooperation is seen as a positive step towards promoting peace, security, and economic development in their respective regions.
Key points
- President John Dramani Mahama and Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister discuss cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations.
- The meeting covers strategic cooperation, bilateral relations, and areas of mutual interest between Ghana and Kyrgyzstan.
- President Mahama and Minister Kulubayev also discuss cooperation in the mining sector and measures to increase investment and expand economic relations.
