Leaders reaffirm commitment to integration, development and joint continental priorities
The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union took place in Addis Ababa, bringing together heads of state under the bloc’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”. African leaders reiterated their shared commitment to long-term development and deeper regional integration.
The high-level gathering convened presidents and prime ministers, foreign ministers, diplomats, leaders of continental institutions and representatives of global organisations. Among them was Antonio Guterres, who joined discussions on the continent’s priorities. Health also featured prominently on the agenda, with participants considering approaches to strengthening Africa’s health systems.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasised that the continent needs to revise its approach to assessing and administering its natural resources, shifting the focus from extraction to planning, management and long-term sustainability.
“Africa’s strength lies not only in what it extracts, but in what it designs, builds and governs,” he said, addressing heads of state and government at the headquarters of the African Union.
On the sidelines of the summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks and confirmed their intention to enhance the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and South Africa, according to Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), a partner of TV BRICS. The meeting took place on the second day of the summit.
The two sides reviewed opportunities to broaden cooperation in priority areas, focusing on stronger political coordination, expanding economic ties and joint work on the continental agenda. Abiy Ahmed noted that the dialogue was aimed at reinforcing bilateral relations, while both countries underlined their role in advancing integration, peace initiatives and institutional reform within the African Union.
Nearly 15 side events accompanied the summit, including a business forum designed to mobilise private-sector support for Africa’s development programmes. Against this backdrop, Ethiopia intensified diplomatic engagement with fellow African nations, while cooperation with South Africa continued to evolve in line with the broader aspiration for coordinated growth, governance modernisation and a stronger voice for the continent on the global stage.
African Times published this article in partnership with International Media Network TV BRICS
