Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 14 February 2026 — The Thirty-Ninth (39th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) has officially opened at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, with a resounding call for African solidarity, financial independence and enhanced continental leadership in shaping the global agenda.
Held under the 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the two-day summit brings together African leaders to deliberate on water security, peace and security challenges, institutional reform and accelerated economic integration.
Strong Call for Reform and Self-Reliance
Addressing the Assembly, Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, underscored that access to water must be regarded as a collective continental good—central not only to development, but also to peace and stability.
He noted that the Summit convenes amid mounting geopolitical turbulence, persistent conflicts, institutional fragility and unconstitutional changes of government in parts of the continent. Against a backdrop of weakening multilateralism and rising global polarization, he urged Member States to accelerate political and economic integration under Agenda 2063.
“Institutional reform and financial self-reliance are now imperative as external funding declines,” H.E. Youssouf emphasized, calling for strengthened domestic resource mobilization and accelerated implementation of flagship continental programmes, including industrialization, agricultural transformation, energy development and infrastructure expansion.
He further highlighted the growing expectations of Africa’s youth, women and civil society, stressing that this decisive decade of Agenda 2063 must deliver measurable results.
The AUC Chairperson also expressed solidarity with populations affected by conflict in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, while reaffirming respect for international and humanitarian law as foundational to global peace.
Angola Reflects on AU Chairmanship
Officially opening the Summit, H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and outgoing AU Chairperson, called for accelerated action to ensure sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems, describing access to water as a political, moral and strategic priority.
Reflecting on Angola’s tenure, President Lourenço cited progress in advancing Agenda 2063, promoting infrastructure investment, strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and implementing reforms to improve AU efficiency.
On peace and security, he reiterated that Africa’s development depends on “silencing the guns,” highlighting crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as terrorism threats in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. He reaffirmed the AU’s firm rejection of unconstitutional changes of government.
Africa’s Global Voice and Partnerships
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia urged African leaders to transition from reacting to global developments to proactively shaping the global agenda, particularly as the AU approaches its 25th anniversary. He emphasized continental unity, technological advancement and narrative sovereignty, highlighting Ethiopia’s initiatives in artificial intelligence development.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, stressing the importance of multilateral cooperation for peace, sustainable development and equitable global governance. He reiterated support for UN Security Council reform, including enhanced African representation.
New AU Chairperson Elected for 2026
During the Summit, H.E. President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi was formally elected as Chairperson of the African Union for 2026, succeeding Angola’s President João Lourenço.
The Bureau of the Assembly for 2026 is composed as follows:
- Chairperson: Republic of Burundi (Central Africa)
- First Vice Chair: Ghana (West Africa)
- Second Vice Chair: Tanzania (East Africa)
- Third Vice Chair: To be confirmed (North Africa)
- Rapporteur: Angola (Southern Africa)
Deliberations continue with sustained focus on water security, sanitation, peace and security, and advancing Africa’s development aspirations under Agenda 2063.
