Category: Press Release

The Thirty-Nineth (39th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) kicked off today at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with a strong call for African solidarity, financial independence, and a collective push to shape the global agenda. The two-day summit, held under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” saw the election of new Chair of the Union for the year 2026 and strong messages on the urgent appeal for peace and institutional reform.

Addressing the Assembly Meeting, Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, framed the summit around the 2026 theme of water and sanitation, describing access to water as a collective good that must promote both development and peace. He stressed that the meeting comes at a time of mounting geopolitical turbulence, with persistent conflicts, institutional fragility and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government across parts of the continent. Against a backdrop of weakening multilateralism and rising global polarization, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged Member State to accelerate political and economic integration under the guiding vision of Agenda 2063.

Chairperson Youssouf further emphasized that institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines. He called for stronger domestic resource mobilization and faster implementation of continental flagship programmes, particularly industrialization, agricultural transformation, energy development and infrastructure expansion, which he described as essential conditions for sustainable growth. “Institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines,” he stated. H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also acknowledged rising expectations from Africa’s youth, women and civil society, emphasizing that this decade of Agenda 2063 must deliver tangible performance and measurable results.

AUC Chairperson concluded by expressing solidarity with populations affected by conflict, citing crises in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, as well as the suffering of the Palestinian people. He reaffirmed that respect for international law and humanitarian law remains fundamental to global peace and called for determined, collective action to secure a stronger, more autonomous and prosperous Africa.

H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and outgoing Chairperson of The AU officially opened the 39th African Union (AU) Summit by calling for accelerated action to ensure sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems, the 2026 AU theme, describing access to water as a political, moral and strategic priority essential for Africa’s development, public health, food security and stability.

Reflecting on Angola’s year as AU Chair, Lourenço highlighted progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilizing investment for infrastructure, strengthening continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and promoting reforms to improve AU efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.

On peace and security, President Lourenço stressed that Africa’s development depends on “silencing the guns” and addressing ongoing conflicts, particularly in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as combating terrorism in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. He reaffirmed the AU’s rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and warned against legitimizing coups through subsequent elections.

H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço concluded by urging African leaders to adopt measurable commitments that deliver tangible results for citizens and reinforce a resilient, integrated and prosperous Africa aligned with Agenda 2063.

Speaking at the 39th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized that Africa should shift from reacting to global events to actively shaping the global agenda, especially as the African Union nears its 25th anniversary. He called for unity, confidence, and greater continental influence in world affairs. He highlighted that true sovereignty includes owning Africa’s narrative and technological future, noting Ethiopia’s establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) institute and plans for an AI university, and concluded with a forward-looking vision aligned with Agenda 2063.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, underscoring multilateral cooperation as essential for peace, security, and sustainable development. He highlighted Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, reaffirmed the need for UN Security Council reform (including stronger African representation), and emphasized support for Africa’s development goals, industrialization, and equitable access to financing. The remarks aligned with continental priorities and reinforced the commitment of both organizations to work together on peace, resilience, and prosperity for Africa and the world

H.E. President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi has been formally elected as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for the year 2026, taking over the rotating leadership from Angola’s João Lourenço at the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The composition of the new Bureau of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union for 2026 is as follows:

1. Chair of the African Union – The Republic of Burundi, (Central)

2. First Vice – Ghana, (West);

3. Second Vice – Tanzania, (East);

4. Third Vice – To be confirmed, (North Africa Region); and

5. Rapporteur – Angola, (South)

The summit continues with deliberations focused on the critical theme of water security, as well as pressing peace and security issues across the continent.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) at its 39th Ordinary Session held on 14 February 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has adopted as theme for the year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

As leaders and citizens rally together, in the pursuit of a healthier and more prosperous Africa, to take center stage, and bring hope and opportunity to millions of its citizens, the African Union will prioritize sustainable water and sanitation systems for 2026, as a pivotal step towards realizing the health aspiration of Agenda 2063.

The image depicts a modern, circular, multi-level building surrounded by a meticulously landscaped area, situated in a cityscape with various other buildings and structures.AI-generated content may be incorrect.This theme underscores the critical importance of water and sanitation in driving Africa’s development agenda and addressing the continent’s pressing challenges. The adoption of the Africa Water Vision 2026 will help foster a strategic framework towards inclusive and climate resilient water security on the continent, paving the way for integrated water resources management within the Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus framework, which will in turn, promote a new narrative on water that fosters an appreciation of the vitality of water in economic growth; job creation; and industrialization, among others. The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), which is responsible for promoting sustainable agricultural development, rural economy growth, and environmental sustainability across Africa, is championing the implementation of the AU theme of the year 2026, in alignment with the AU Assembly Decisions.

The Africa Water Vision 2026 of “an Africa where there is an equitable and sustainable management of water resources for poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, regional cooperation and the environment,” is timely, and in line with the AU vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”. A number of continental policy decisions and declarations have been taken by the AU to foster actualisation of these visions including the Africa Agenda 2063. The continental Agenda provides the framework and roadmap to achieve the aspirations on accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods, recommitting to the principles and values of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), and enhancing investment finance in agriculture, and intra-African trade in agricultural commodities, among others.

Climate Change, Water Security, Health and Sanitation

As Africa continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, including increased droughts and flooding, the need for sustainable water management has never been more urgent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), waterborne diseases remain a leading cause of mortality in Africa. To protect the interests of the African population, the AU is determined to improve access to safe sanitation facilities, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas and enhance water resource management for food security, economic stability, and resilience against climate-related challenges.

The AU’s 2026 theme serves as a clarion call for action across the continent. It stresses that achieving sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems is not just an environmental issue but a pathway to achieving broader socio-economic goals. Member States, civil society, and the private sector are urged to collaborate in addressing these challenges. The AU urges member states to engage local communities in planning and implementing water and sanitation projects. This participatory approach is seen as vital for ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of initiatives, as the AU advocates for robust policy frameworks to monitor progress and adapt strategies while monitoring the evolving water and sanitation conditions on the continent.

The theme on water and sanitation further calls for enhanced regional cooperation in managing transboundary water resources. Many of Africa’s rivers and lakes cross national borders, necessitating innovative technologies for water purification, need collaborative approaches to ensure equitable and sustainable solutions for water and sanitation.

Water scarcity and inadequate sanitation are pervasive issues across Africa, affecting millions and stifling economic growth. The AU’s focus is to galvanize member states and stakeholders to prioritize these fundamental areas, in alignment with the broader aspirations of Agenda 2063, which seeks to foster inclusive and sustainable development by 2063.

The AU is in the process of developing an all-inclusive implementation strategy on the theme for the year 2026 on water and sanitation, featuring innovative solutions, youth, women, and marginalized communities, recognizing their critical role in driving sustainable change and share best practices. Hence the need to advocate for a new narrative on water that resonates with the expectations of the African citizenry. A narrative that recognizes the full potential of water in the socio-economic development of Africa, given that three out of four jobs are water-dependent and up to 80% of ailments impacting on the productivity of the labour force in Africa can be attributed to poor hygiene and sanitation. Water scarcity and supply disruptions limit economic growth. Exacerbated by climate change, water scarcity is also a contributing factor to migration while the transition to a greener economy enhances opportunities for decent jobs, etc).

The new narrative on water will therefore foster an appreciation of the vitality of water in economic growth, job creation, and industrialization. It would raise the business case and profile of water in national and regional development, position water better in the economy, accelerate the pace of water infrastructure investments. It will also increase awareness of water’s critical role in enhancing job creation and build on the foundations of integrated water resources management, to advocate for approaches such as the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus.