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Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday joined African leaders and global partners at the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The development was disclosed in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications.
At the summit, Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, formally assumed office as Chairman of the African Union for 2026, succeeding Angola’s President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.
The opening session featured no fewer than 49 heads of state and government, along with leaders of global and regional institutions.
Among those present were United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Welcoming participants to the summit themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, urged African leaders to remain united in driving socio-economic transformation across the continent.
He stated Ethiopia’s investments in smart agriculture and climate-friendly energy, noting that the country was working to secure a sustainable future for its population of over 130 million.
In his remarks, Guterres also reaffirmed the UN’s partnership with Africa, describing the relationship as one anchored on solidarity and shared goals.
He said the support of the African Group at the United Nations had consistently strengthened global efforts toward justice and equality.
The UN chief assured leaders that the global body would continue to prioritise Africa’s advancement in peace, security and sustainable development.
In his valedictory address, President Lourenço outlined key achievements during his tenure, pointing to progress in inclusive growth, infrastructure development and human capital investment.
He identified water and sanitation, climate change, and peace and security as central priorities for the summit.
He also stressed the need for enhanced resource mobilisation to finance Africa’s development agenda in line with Agenda 2063, while reaffirming the AU’s commitment to improving peace and security mechanisms to address threats across the continent.
Following remarks by regional bloc representatives and development partners, leaders witnessed the formal handover to President Ndayishimiye, then proceeded to a closed-door session after the traditional family photograph.
