Thirty-ninth AU Summit opens
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) kicked off on Saturday at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa 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, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. 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, a press release by the AU Communications Department said.
Against a backdrop of weakening multilateralism and rising global polarization, Mr. Youssouf urged Member States to accelerate political and economic integration under the guiding vision of Agenda 2063.
He further emphasised that institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines. He called for stronger domestic resource mobilisation 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.
Mr. Youssouf also acknowledged rising expectations from Africa’s youth, women and civil society, emphasising 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.
Angola's President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and outgoing Chairperson of The AU officially opened the 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, President Lourenço highlighted progress in advancing Agenda 2063, mobilising 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 the 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 legitimising coups through subsequent elections.
President 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.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasised 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.
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 emphasised support for Africa’s development goals, industrialisation, and equitable access to financing.
The remarks aligned with continental priorities and reinforced the commitment of both organisations to work together on peace, resilience, and prosperity for Africa and the world.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi was formally elected as the Chairperson of the AU for the year 2026, taking over the rotating leadership from President Lourenço.
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:
Chair of the African Union – The Republic of Burundi, (Central); First Vice – Ghana, (West); Second Vice – Tanzania, (East); Third Vice – To be confirmed, (North Africa Region); and Rapporteur – Angola, (South).
-0- PANA MA/RA 14Feb2026
