The 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) began on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, bringing together foreign ministers of member states with a partcular focus on the continent’s water security.
The two-day meeting, attended by foreign ministers from AU members under the framework of the 39th AU Summit, is being held under the AU’s 2026 theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Addressing the opening session, the chairperson of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf outlined critical continental issues for the foreign ministers’ consideration.
The chairperson said that harnessing water and sanitation is the theme of the year, enhancing Africa’s position and unity on the global stage, and promoting peace and stability across the continent.
In line with its mandate, the council is tasked with harmonising policy frameworks, reviewing reports from AU organs and specialised committees, and consolidating recommendations that will guide deliberations at the highest political level.
At the heart of the discussions are institutional reforms, Africa’s strategic positioning within the G20, and preparations for the 2026 AU Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
The theme signals a strategic shift toward addressing water security and sanitation as foundational pillars for economic growth, public health, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. Ministers are expected to outline actionable pathways to accelerate progress in these areas across Member States.
The council is also refining Africa’s unified voice on global economic governance, particularly with regard to meaningful participation in the G20. With Africa now formally represented, discussions are focused on ensuring that continental priorities are reflected in international financial architecture and global policy decisions.
Peace and security remain central to the Council’s agenda. Ministers are reviewing reports under the AU’s flagship “Silencing the Guns” initiative, with particular attention to ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In parallel, the session includes deliberations on a landmark report concerning reparations for Africans and people of African descent. The initiative, a cornerstone of the 2025 agenda, seeks to address historical injustices and colonial legacies through international legal and diplomatic mechanisms.
As heads of state prepare to arrive in Addis Ababa for Sunday’s summit, the Executive Council is finalising draft decisions and policy recommendations for adoption by the Assembly.
These deliberations are expected to provide the mandate and strategic direction for Africa’s collective journey toward a more integrated, resilient, and prosperous 2026.
MG/as/APA