The 39th African Union summit is scheduled for February 14-15 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, against a backdrop of critical political, economic, and climate challenges facing the globe. The leaders will discuss pressing issues such as security, climate change, and the internal conflicts that hinder the continent's potential for growth, despite its wealth of resources. Legal prerequisites for the summit have been met, indicating a readiness among member states to engage in these crucial discussions.

Key topics on the agenda include water security, sanitation, trade in Africa, and the burden of debt on the continent. Additionally, the leaders will focus on security disturbances in the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa, with particular attention given to ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel. These issues are central to the discussions as they pose significant barriers to achieving the African Union's ambitious Agenda 2063 for sustainable development, as highlighted by the AU’s ambassador to the commission.

Ambassador Mohamed Alamin Souef elaborated that the implementation of the sustainable development plan cannot proceed effectively without resolving security issues. This summit presents an opportunity for African leaders to collaborate on innovative solutions to these crises and push forward collective initiatives that could lead to stability and growth across the continent, reflecting their commitment to overcoming chronic challenges that have persisted for years.