African Union | An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa.

38th AU Summit

African Union Summit 2025.

- The African Union Summit 38th Ordinary Session will convene on various dates from 14th January 2025 to 16th February 2025. The schedule of statutory meetings is as follows;

14th to 31st January 2025- The 49th Ordinary session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC). The PRC comprises Permanent Representatives to the African Union and other plenipotentiaries of Member States. The PRC conducts the day-to-day business of the African Union on behalf of the Assembly and Executive Council. It reports to the Executive Council, prepares the Council’s work and acts on its instructions. All AU Member States are members of the PRC.
12th to 13th February 2025- The 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council. The Council coordinates and takes decisions on policies in areas of common interest to Member States. It is answerable to the Assembly. It considers issues referred to it and monitors the implementation of policies formulated by the Assembly. The Executive Council is composed of foreign ministers or such other ministers or authorities as are designated by the governments of Member States.
15th to 16th February 2025- The 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The Assembly is the AU’s supreme policy and decision-making organ. It comprises all Member State Heads of State and Government. The Assembly determines the AU’s policies, establishes its priorities, adopts its annual programme and monitors the implementation of its policies and decisions. The Summit will be held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Union theme of the year 2025 will focus on Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing Under the Theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. The theme will officially be launched by Heads of State and Government The social media hashtag in #AUSummit

Areas of Focus

Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government will consider and make far-reaching decisions on various political and socio-economic areas to promote and advance the welfare and quality of life for the African citizenry.
The Assembly will consider various reports, including, but not limited to;

Institutional reforms of the African Union
State of peace and security in Africa and activities of the Peace and Security Council.
Participation of the African Union at the G20.
Report of the African Peer Review Forum (APR Forum) on governance issues.
Report of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee that provides policy guidance and monitor progress on the implementation of AUDA- NEPAD activities.
Report of the Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Presentation on Theme of the Year 2025.
Report of the AU High Level Committee in Libya.
Report of the Heads of State and Government Committee on Climate Change.
Report on the implementation of Theme of the year 2024 on Education.
Report on the situation in Palestine.
Report on draft legal instruments.
Report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Accelerating Access to Clean Cooking Solutions in Africa.
Draft Declaration on the Situation in Haiti.
Adoption of the 2024 Declaration of the 6th Mid-Year Coordination meeting held in Ghana in July 2024 and the date and venue of the 7th Mid-Year Coordination meeting.

Elections and appointments.

The Assembly will also conduct elections and appointment of the African Union Commission Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.
The Assembly will appoint five Members of the Peace and Security Council.

During the Session of the Executive Council, the Ministers will similarly consider among others consider reports on:

The Annual Report on the activities of the Union and its Organs.
The 15th African Continental Free Trade Area Council of Ministers for trade report.
Africa CDC and the public health emergencies on the continent.
Ministerial Committee on African Candidatures within the International System.
Ministerial Follow up Committee on the Implementation of Agenda 2063.
Joint sitting of the Ministerial Committee on Scale of Assessment and the Committee of F15
Ministerial Committee on African Candidatures within the International System Report.
Ministerial Follow-up Committee on the implementation of Agenda 2063.
Briefing on South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

The Executive Council will consider the following Draft Legal Instruments.

Draft African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Draft Statute of the Africa Food Safety Agency
Draft Annexes to the Protocol to the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area on Digital Trade:
- Annex on Rules of Origin
- Annex on Criteria for Determining the Legitimate and Legal Public Interest Reasons for Disclosure of Source Code
- Annex on Online Safety and Security
- Annex on Cross-Border Data Transfers
- Annex on Emerging and Advanced Technologies
- Annex on Digital Identities
- Annex on Cross-Border Digital Payments
- Annex on Financial Technology
Draft Statute of the African Civilian Capacity Mechanism for Disaster Preparedness and Response

The Executive Council will conduct elections of the following;

Election and Appointment of Six (6) Commissioners of the African Union Commission
Election of Five (5) Members of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union
Election and Appointment One (1) Member of the African Space Agency
Election and Appointment of the Vice President of the Pan African University Council.
Election and Appointment of Five (5) Members of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC)
Election and Appointment of Six (6) Members of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL)
Election and Appointment of One (1) Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
Finally, the Executive Council will consider the draft agenda and draft decisions of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU.
The Agenda Programme is attached at the bottom of this page.

Theme of the Year 2025

The African Union Theme of the Year 2025 will focus on Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing Under the Theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”.
The theme will be officially launched by Heads of State and Government during the 38th AU Summit in February 2025. In the continuing pursuit of justice and equity, the conversation about reparations has emerged as a critical and transformative dialogue that requires the collective attention and action of Africans and all people of African descent. The scope of this conversation goes beyond historical injustices and into the current fabric of societies around the world.

Read a brief about the theme of the year here.

For media enquiries, please contact

For media enquiries, please contact:
Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou| Head of Information Division | African Union Commission | Tel: +251 (0) 911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Directorate of Information and Communication; African Union Commission | E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org | Tel: +251 11 518 2014/ +251 11 5182518 | Mobile: +132022159152
Mrs Wynne Musabayana| Head of Communication | African Union Commission | email: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission, E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.

Activities

Invitation of Non-African States and International Organizations

February 28, 2025

Nouakchott Declaration Ignites Political Dialogue to Fuel Sustainable Education

February 20, 2025

In a landmark event at the 38th African Union Summit, the pressing need for sustainable and innovative financing for education in Africa took center stage.

Malawi becomes 38th African Country to join Africa's Single Air Transport Market

February 20, 2025

In a significant stride towards unifying Africa’s skies and advancing economic integration, the Republic of Malawi has officially signed the Solemn Commitment to join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). SAATM, a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aims to establish a unified air transport market across the continent enchaining Africa’s broader economic integration efforts.

AU Summit Adopts Bold Strategies for Clean and Sustainable Energy

February 19, 2025

In a momentous week at the 38th African Union Summit, held from 12-16 February 2025, African leaders endorsed groundbreaking strategies aimed at advancing Africa’s integration, economic transformation, and climate resilience.

H.E. Mahmoud, H.E. Haddadi, & 4 Commissioners elected to AUC leadership position

February 16, 2025

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, (Djibouti, Eastern Region) has been elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He will be to be deputised by H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi (Algeria, Northern Region). Both mandates are for four years, renewable once.

Press Briefing Notes H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid Commissioner, Infrastructure and En

February 16, 2025

Introduction • Good afternoon esteemed members of the press attending both in person and online, thank you for joining us today for this important briefing.

Statement by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, on the occasion of the Handover Ceremony

May 13, 2025

Key Note Address by H. E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine Commissioner, ESTI Side Event At the Margins of the 38th AU Summit

February 16, 2025

Speech by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Side Event Side Event on the further steps for implementation of recommendation of the Nouakchott Declaration.

February 16, 2025

Speech for the AU Youth Envoy on Reparations:

February 16, 2025

38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU

February 15, 2025 to February 16, 2025

38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU

Executive Council Forty-Sixth Ordinary Session

February 12, 2025 to February 13, 2025

Executive Council Forty-Sixth Ordinary Session 12 - 13 February 2025 Addis Ababa (ETHIOPIA)

High-Level Side Event on Immunization Progress and Renewed Commitment

February 16, 2025

On the sidelines of the 38^th AU Summit, a high-level side event will dive into Africa’s progress on immunization and what’s next. The goal? To renew Africa’s commitment to universal immunization, building on the Addis Declaration on Immunization (ADI),

High-Level Press Briefing on Malaria Progress & the “Change the Story” Campaign

February 16, 2025

High-level Press Briefing under the theme Changing the Story on Malaria: A Big Push to Deliver a Malaria-Free Africa

A High Level Political Dialogue on Financing Accelerated Action on Education

February 16, 2025

AUC-UNICEF-MAURITANIA Side Event at the 38th AU Summit: Further steps for implementation of the Recommendations of the Nouakchott Declaration

29TH Ordinary General Assembly of OAFLAD

February 16, 2025

The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), an advocacy organization uniting African First Ladies to champion health accessibility and empowerment initiatives for women and youth, invites members of the media to its 29th Ordinary General Assembly Open Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2025.