AU Summit: Ending Conflicts and “Water Security”, 2026 Theme

Addis Ababa – Sudanhorizon
At the conclusion of the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, African Union Chairperson, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi and Commissioner-General of the African Union Commission Mohamed Ali Youssef, stressed the paramount importance and urgent need to work towards finding lasting solutions to current African conflicts and crises, with a particular focus on conflict hotspots in East and Southern Africa.
In a joint press conference following the summit, they indicated that the Union seeks to consolidate African solutions and address strategic issues related to peace and security, as well as health, climate, and development.
In their deliberations, African leaders emphasized a policy of “zero tolerance” for military coups and the necessity of advancing the “Silencing the Guns” initiative and supporting institutional reforms within the Union.
They also stressed that ending wars and combating terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region, is essential for boosting trade and continental economic development.
The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, at its Ordinary Session on February 14, 2026, adopted the official theme for the year: “Ensuring Sustainable Water and Safe Sanitation to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
The final communiqué, published today by the Commission, explained that the Union will give top priority to the water and sanitation sector as a pivotal step towards a healthier and more prosperous Africa. It noted that “Africa Water Vision 2026” will contribute to building a strategic framework for climate-resilient water security, paving the way for integrated management linking water, energy, food, and ecosystems, which in turn will boost economic growth, job creation, and industrialization.
The communiqué stated that the implementation of this theme will be coordinated with the ministries of agriculture, rural development, and the blue economy in member states, in line with the vision of “an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa led by its citizens.” The Union also warned of the dangers of waterborne diseases, which remain a leading cause of death, and affirmed its commitment to improving access to sanitation facilities in disadvantaged rural and urban areas to enhance resilience to droughts and floods.
The final statement called for strengthening regional cooperation in managing trans-boundary water resources and using innovative water purification technologies, announcing the Union’s intention to hold an international conference on water and sanitation during 2026 to highlight innovative solutions and involve youth and women in driving sustainable change, especially since water scarcity is directly affecting strong productivity and contributing to increased migration rates.

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