AU Summit Concludes in Addis Ababa with Strategic Plans for Continental Challenges

ADDIS ABABA — The 37th African Union (AU) Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments wrapped up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking a decisive step towards tackling the continent’s challenges through unity and strategic planning. The two-day summit, hosted at the AU headquarters, brought together leaders from AU member countries, international organization representatives, and various guests to deliberate on pressing continental issues.

According Ethiopian News Agency, the summit focused on a wide array of topics, including peace and security, the AU’s reform initiatives, improving the quality and accessibility of education, and reviewing the implementation of the first ten-year plan of Agenda 2063. The leaders adopted the second phase of the ten-year plan of Agenda 2063, aiming to continue the roadmap towards the continent’s development.

The closing session saw Mauritanian President and the newly appointed AU Chairperson, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, reflecting on the achievements of Agenda 2063’s first decade and outlining the ambitions for its next phase. Ghazouani emphasized education, specifically high-quality, 21st-century training, as a critical priority aligning with this year’s theme.

Ghazouani’s address further highlighted the imperative of addressing peace and security challenges across Africa, committing to intensified efforts to resolve conflicts. Advocating for a stronger African voice in global forums, he called for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council, aiming to reform the global peace architecture to be more equitable.

The chairperson stressed the importance of joint action through the AU to tackle the myriad challenges facing the continent, identifying peace, stability, human rights, good governance, and sustainable development as the summit’s key priorities. He underscored the essential role of robust and resilient institutions in driving the success of programs and achieving significant progress.

In his vision for the continent, Ghazouani advocated for an Africa that assertively manages its destiny on the international stage, highlighting the necessity of such a stance for the continent’s future. The summit concluded with a collective call for action to foster complementarity and integration among African nations, maximizing resources and impact for the betterment of the continent.