The African Union (AU) is an intergovernmental organisation created in 2002 to succeed the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). It has 55 member states, all from the African continent. The AU aims to promote political, economic and social integration, as well as peace, security and human rights in Africa. Its headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The AU strives to strengthen solidarity among its members and defend their interests on the international stage, while working to achieve the ambitious goals of its Agenda 2063.
Highlights from the summit
From the opening of the summit, the speeches of African leaders highlighted the need for greater cooperation and concrete action. The Chairman of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, called for greater solidarity between Member States. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stressed the importance of innovation and technology in fostering development.
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, who attended as guest of honour, reaffirmed the UN’s support for AU initiatives and called for a stronger partnership between the two organisations.
The summit was also marked by the election of a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the AU Commission, as well as new Commissioners, charged with accelerating the implementation of the organisation’s policies and reforms.
Major decisions and resolutions taken
The strengthening of the African Standby Force was approved, with an increased commitment from Member States. A special fund to combat terrorism in the Sahel was set up. A mediation mission was set up in the DRC to promote a ceasefire.
The launch of the African Financial Stability Mechanism aims to alleviate the debt burden of African countries. A strategic framework has been adopted to achieve annual GDP growth of 7% over 50 years. It was decided to speed up the implementation of the AfCFTA by removing the remaining barriers.
The Dar Es Salaam Declaration on renewable energy was adopted. New sustainable development indicators have been created through the Baku Declaration. A pan-African initiative on reforestation and combating desertification has been launched.
Ongoing challenges and new directions
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Fighting corruption and improving governance remain priorities. The education system needs to be better adapted to the needs of the labour market. The development of continental infrastructures, particularly in transport and energy, is essential.
A number of initiatives have been approved in response. An African Innovation Council has been set up to promote research and new technologies. A continent-wide digital education programme has been launched. A ten-year plan for the development of cross-border infrastructure was adopted.
The 38th AU Summit illustrated the determination of African leaders to build a more integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent. The commitments made and the resolutions adopted bear witness to an ambitious vision. However, their implementation will require rigorous monitoring and close cooperation between Member States. Africa’s future will depend on the AU’s ability to transform these commitments into concrete actions to serve the people of Africa.
