ETHIOPIA – The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union opened on Saturday Feb. 14, as the African heads of state and government gathered on a 2-day summit focused on water security, climate pressure, and strengthening Africa’s representation in global institutions.

Leaders are launching the AU’s 2026 theme of the year – Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, and other international leaders are participating in the summit at AU headquarters, underscoring growing international engagement with Africa’s development and security priorities.

In addition to discussions on water governance and climate resilience, leaders are expected to review peace and security situations across the continent, assess progress on Agenda 2063 – the AU’s long-term development blueprint – and consider institutional reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness and financial sustainability of the continental body.

What the Summit Seeks to Consider & Adopt

Report on the work done on the Three Thematic Agenda items of the African union – (Peace & Security, Integration & Sustainable Development and Africa’s voice) .
Report on the African Union Institutional Reforms.
Report on the Republic of South Africa’s experience in the G20 presidency and Report on African Union participation in G20.
Appointment of Ten (10) Members of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.
Consideration of the report on conflict situations in Sudan and South Sudan, and the situation in the Sahel Region.
Presentation of the reports of the Committees of the Assembly Forum of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM forum).
AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee.
Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Heads of State and Government Committee on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).
Assembly Committee on AfCFTA and Assembly Committee on Africa CDC.
Presentation of the Annual Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, including Champion on Agenda 2063, among others.