The Ethiopian capital hosted a significant week of diplomacy marked by the 39th Summit of the African Union (AU), held alongside the Second Italy-Africa Summit.
African heads of state, international partners, and representatives of multilateral organizations gathered to shape the continent’s strategic priorities.
Particular attention was drawn to the presence of Emebet Asefa , Representative of the African Youth Parliament, whose participation highlighted the growing role of African youth in major institutional discussions and strategic policymaking.
Held under the theme “Ensuring Sustainable Water Availability and Sanitation for Agenda 2063,” the meetings emphasized unity, economic self-reliance, and sustainable development as central pillars of Africa’s future.
The continental summit provided a platform for leaders to address key challenges related to peace and security, economic integration, and Africa’s positioning on the global stage.
Angolan President João Lourenço, AU Chairperson for 2025, stressed the importance of “silencing the guns” and strengthening intra-African trade to reduce external dependency.
Member states also elected Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye as Chairperson of the AU for 2026.
As host, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored innovation and youth empowerment as key drivers of structural transformation across the continent.
In his first major address in office, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized the strategic link between water security and sustainable development, calling for increased infrastructure investment and strengthened cross-border cooperation.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to strong partnership with Africa in advancing peace, stability, and sustainable progress.
Co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, the Second Italy-Africa Summit expanded the diplomatic momentum with a renewed focus on strategic cooperation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for moving beyond traditional aid models toward a “Partnership of Equals,” emphasizing strategic investments in energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, and migration management.
She also proposed climate-shock debt suspension mechanisms to support African countries facing climate-related financial pressures.
The participation of Emebet Asefa reflects a broader commitment to placing African youth at the center of decision-making processes linked to Agenda 2063.
As the week concluded, Addis Ababa reaffirmed its status as Africa’s diplomatic capital, while the continent reiterated its ambition: to build its future on unity, strategic partnerships, and the active engagement of its younger generation.