ADDIS ABABA — Top African Union (AU) officials and foreign ministers from across the continent have convened in Addis Ababa for the 24th emergency session of the Executive Council to address multiple pressing issues threatening the continent’s stability.
The meeting, taking place at the AU headquarters, opened with a speech by Ethiopia’s permanent envoy to the Union, Ambassador Arut Zemene, who called for visionary leadership to shield Africa from escalating global climate challenges, rising geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts, debt burdens, and humanitarian emergencies.
Ambassador Arut stated that all policy directions should align with Agenda 2063 — the AU’s long-term development framework — to drive the continent toward peace, stability, and sustainable growth.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Gideon Timoteos, also delivered remarks on behalf of the Union, reinforcing the need for collective and proactive action in the face of unpredictable global and regional challenges.
One of the meeting’s core agenda items includes the election of a new member to the AU Peace and Security Council. Additional appointments will be made to the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) and the African Space Council (AfSC).
Delegates will also review a draft report prepared by the African Union Commission’s departments on Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Mining, as well as the Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation Commission.
The Executive Council, composed primarily of foreign ministers of AU member states, plays a key role in harmonizing and steering policies on matters of shared interest across Africa.
Present at the meeting are AU Commission Chairperson Mohammed Ali Yusuf, Angola’s Foreign Minister and current Chair of the Executive Council Tete Antonio, along with ministers of foreign affairs, senior AU officials, ambassadors, diplomats, and invited guests.
