The 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government will take place on 14 and 15 February 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Summit is convened under the African Union Theme of the Year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

The Summit is preceded by statutory meetings of the African Union, including the Permanent Representatives’ Committee and the Executive Council, and brings together Heads of State and Government, ministers, African Union organs, regional economic communities and partners to advance continental priorities.

Visit the African Union website to learn more.

UNDP at the AU Summit 2026

From 10 to 13 February 2026, we will host and support a series of side events and regional engagements on the margins of the Summit, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, Member States, regional organizations and development partners. These engagements complement our broader participation in AU Summit related meetings throughout the week.

Details of UNDP-led and supported events are outlined below.

10 February 2026

Unlocking Groundwater Investments Through Strategic Partnerships: Advancing Agenda 2063 Water and Sanitation Goals in the Horn of Africa
15:00–16:00 GMT+3 | UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa

This High-Level Ministerial Forum will convene African leaders and partners under the theme “Making Democracy Deliver: Restoring Public Trust and Strengthening Institutional Resilience through Regional Partnerships in Africa.” The forum will examine how regional cooperation can strengthen democratic governance, support political transitions, and rebuild public trust through coordinated regional action.

Organized in partnership with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and UNDP Nigeria, the forum will provide a platform for senior policymakers and partners to exchange perspectives on shared governance challenges and priorities, while advancing implementation of the Regional Partnerships for Democracy initiative.

Register to attend online.

12 February 2026

Ministerial Forum on Regional Partnerships for Democracy
13:30–14:45 GMT+3 | Addis Ababa

The Ministerial Forum will bring together African leaders and partners to discuss regional cooperation for democratic governance. The panel will focus on strengthening institutions, supporting political transitions and reinforcing citizen trust in increasingly complex political environments, in line with African Union governance frameworks.

Register to attend online.

13 February 2026

Gen-Z, Political Transitions and the Future of Governance in Africa
14:00–17:00 GMT+3 | UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa

This intergenerational dialogue will place Generation Z perspectives at the centre of discussions on governance, political transitions and peacebuilding in Africa. The session will explore how youth civic engagement shapes political participation and how inclusion can move beyond protest toward sustained institutional and policy influence.

The event will also mark the launch of UNDP knowledge products on political transitions and youth-led governance and peacebuilding initiatives.

Register to attend online.