Following the conclusion of the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, a two-day minsterial session held in Addis Ababa, attention now shifts to the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which begins on Saturday, February 14. At the summit, running until February 15 at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital, Rwanda's Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva will represent President Paul Kagame. The AU summit is expected to focus on peace and security, institutional reforms, and climate action. Peace and security at the forefront Peace and security remain central to the continental agenda. Leaders will deliberate on ongoing conflict situations, including in Sudan, South Sudan, and the wider Sahel region. The Assembly is also set to appoint 10 new members to the Peace and Security Council, one of the AU’s decision-making organs responsible for conflict prevention, management, and resolution. ALSO READ: Rwanda joins AU Peace and Security Council The summit will further consider reports on Africa’s collective voice in global governance, particularly in multilateral platforms such as the G20. Discussions will include the South Africa’s experience during its G20 presidency and a broader report on AU participation within the G20 framework. Reforms and continental integration A significant portion of the agenda is about institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the African Union. Leaders will review and adopt the report on AU Institutional Reforms, part of ongoing efforts to enhance accountability, financial sustainability, and operational efficiency within the organization. ALSO READ: African leaders call for AU reforms to improve efficiency The Assembly will also examine progress on three key thematic priorities: peace and security; integration and sustainable development; and Africa’s global representation. Economic integration will feature prominently through a presentation from the Assembly Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA remains a flagship initiative under the African Union Agenda 2063, designed to create a single continental market for goods and services and boost intra-African trade. Climate action and global representation Climate change will also be high on the agenda. The Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change is expected to present updates on Africa’s climate priorities, particularly as the continent continues to advocate for climate justice and fair representation in global climate negotiations. ALSO READ: 20 green initiatives that defined Rwanda’s climate agenda in 2025 In addition, the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government will present progress on Africa’s common position regarding the reform of the United Nations Security Council, reinforcing calls for permanent African representation. The forum of the African Peer Review Mechanism will also present its report, highlighting governance trends and accountability efforts among participating member states. Rwanda’s High-Level Side Events On the margins of the summit, Rwanda will host a High-Level Presidential Breakfast focused on the operationalization of the African Medicines Agency (AMA), an AU regulatory body based in Kigali. ALSO READ: Rwanda unveils African Medicines Agency headquarters “This event signals that Africa’s regulation is moving from treaty to delivery, with AMA now operational as the continent’s coordination platform,” said Dr Yvan Butera, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health. “The priority now is sustained political commitment and predictable financing so that national regulators can work faster, with greater trust, alignment, and impact.” Established in 2024, the AMA is a specialized African Union agency aimed at harmonizing medical regulations across the continent. It also aims to improve access to quality, safe, and effective medical products and technologies across the continent, addressing public health needs and bolstering pharmaceutical standards.
