Africa Seeks Joint Response to Water Crisis at AU Meeting

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Abdisalam Ali, arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday to attend the 39th African Union (AU) Summit and related ministerial meetings at the AU headquarters.

The summit, which opens this week, brings together African leaders and senior officials to discuss continental priorities under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

Somalia’s foreign minister is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit with African counterparts and international partners. The talks will focus on peace and security, regional cooperation and sustainable development, key areas for Somalia as it rebuilds state institutions and strengthens regional ties.

Water security and sanitation remain pressing challenges across the continent, with climate change, rapid urbanisation and recurring droughts placing increased strain on public health systems and economic growth.

For Somalia, which has faced repeated drought cycles in recent years, the summit’s theme carries particular significance.

Mogadishu has in recent years stepped up diplomatic engagement within the African Union, seeking stronger collaboration on security stabilisation efforts and economic integration.

Somalia’s participation at the summit underscores its effort to play a more active role in continental affairs and to contribute to Africa’s long-term development blueprint under Agenda 2063.