The 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly has kicked off at the AU headquarters with a focus on water security and sustainable development.
The event’s theme is “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”.
Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye has been elected as the AU Chairperson for 2026, taking over from Angola’s President João Lourenço.
Ndayishimiye’s priorities include addressing water access, public health, food security, and regional stability.
Outgoing Chair Lourenço emphasized water access as a strategic priority, while AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted water’s role in promoting peace amidst climate pressure.
The leaders discussed Africa’s transition to a global power player, focusing on domestic resource mobilization and institutional reform.
Key discussions also addressed conflicts, including coups and humanitarian crises in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern DR Congo, and Somalia.
The AU reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for military takeovers.
The summit serves as a checkpoint for the AU’s 25th anniversary, with leaders pushing for tangible results for Africa’s youth and women.
With Burundi leading, the Union aims to accelerate industrialization, infrastructure expansion, and a unified push for a prosperous Africa.
End
