39th AU Summit opens in Addis Ababa with focus on water security, development

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (1st R) addresses the opening ceremony of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 14, 2026. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) opened Saturday at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063."

In addition to sustainable water management, delegates also discussed a range of issues, including peace and political stability, economic development, regional integration, and efforts to strengthen Africa's global standing and unity.

The opening session drew African heads of state and government, alongside leaders of continental and international organizations, including AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (1st R) addresses the opening ceremony of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Feb. 14, 2026. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Feb. 14, 2026 shows a scene at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Feb. 14, 2026 shows a scene at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Feb. 14, 2026 shows a scene at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Feb. 14, 2026 shows a scene at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Feb. 14, 2026 shows delegates attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The two-day summit, which brings together leaders from AU members, was launched under the AU's 2026 theme: "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063." (Xinhua/Geng Xinning)