African Union Charts New Course for Agenda 2063 with Sweeping Reform Decisions

Addis Ababa, July 29, 2026 (FMC) — The African Union Executive Council has charted a new course for Agenda 2063 implementation, adopting key decisions aimed at strengthening institutional reforms, advancing continental integration and enhancing the Union’s financial sustainability as it concluded its 49th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa.

The two-day session, attended by Foreign Ministers and other designated Ministers from AU Member States, focused on strategic, institutional and policy issues including AU financial and administrative management, governance reforms, multilateral cooperation, economic affairs and mechanisms to accelerate the realization of Agenda 2063.

During the session, the Executive Council reviewed reports on the implementation of the African Union Reform Agenda, the financial sustainability of the Union, the Skills Audit and Competency Assessment (SACA), as well as progress in advancing the AU Theme of the Year 2026: “Ensuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve Agenda 2063 Goals.”

The Council also examined progress reports from key continental institutions, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the African Medicines Agency (AMA), while considering issues related to African candidatures in international institutions and the ratification and implementation of AU treaties.

The Executive Council adopted decisions for the upcoming Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, scheduled to take place in October 2026 in El Alamein, Egypt.

Addressing the closing session, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation and Chairperson of the AU Executive Council, Ambassador Édouard Bizimana, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf commended Member States for constructive engagement and consensus-building throughout the meeting.

They reaffirmed the commitment of the Union to advancing Africa’s integration agenda and delivering on the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

The AU Commission Chairperson and the Executive Council Chairperson also hailed progress toward strengthening the Union’s financial independence, congratulating Burundi for implementing the 0.2 percent levy and recognizing Angola, Ethiopia and Kenya for joining the AU’s Tier One contributors.

They described the steps as important milestones in advancing AU reforms and building a more sustainable and self-reliant continental organization.

The session further emphasized the need for stronger coordination among Member States and collective action to address Africa’s development priorities while reinforcing the continent’s common positions on regional and global issues.