Addis Ababa is preparing to host the 39th African Union Summit this month, bringing together heads of state from across the continent to tackle critical development challenges under the banner of Agenda 2063. Scheduled for 14 and 15 February, the gathering will place a primary focus on securing reliable water and sanitation services, a cornerstone of Africa’s long-term strategic roadmap.

Ahead of the main assembly, a series of high-level meetings facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union will commence on 10 February. These sessions are expected to address the urgent need for climate resilience investments and the sustainable management of groundwater resources, specifically within the Horn of Africa.

Governance and stability also feature prominently on the agenda, with a ministerial forum organised in partnership with the Nigerian government. This platform is designed to facilitate deep-dive discussions on building robust institutions and maintaining public confidence during complex political transitions—a recurring challenge for several nations across the bloc.

Perhaps the most significant shift in this year’s summit is the formal emphasis on the role of "Gen-Z" in peacebuilding and administration. The summit aims to foster a meaningful intergenerational dialogue, seeking to move youth civic engagement beyond street-level protest and into the spheres of institutional policy-making and formal governance. 

To support this transition, the UNDP is slated to release new research findings highlighting the impact of youth-led peace initiatives and the evolving landscape of political change on the continent.