Addis Ababa — Ethiopia has completed all necessary preparations to advance its national interests at the 39th African Union Summit and the Italy-Africa Summit scheduled to be held in the capital, a spokesperson stated.

The general arrangements made for the 39th African Union Summit and the Italy-Africa Summit were outlined today.

The ordinary session of the African Union Executive Council will be held from February 11 to 12, and the Summit from February 14 to 15, while the Italy-Africa Summit will be held on February 13, 2026.

It was confirmed that Ethiopia has put in place comprehensive logistical arrangements and is fully prepared for effective participation at both the diplomatic and economic levels.

The importance of the two summits in enhancing political and economic diplomacy was emphasized.

Accordingly, Ethiopia is preparing to actively participate in the summits on issues that serve its national interests and to promote conference tourism by reflecting Ethiopian culture and values through providing distinguished hospitality for participants.

It was added that, as in previous years, 179 young volunteers have been recruited for this year’s African Union Summit, embodying the principle that every citizen is a diplomat for their country.

This youth volunteer activity is being carried out in accordance with the Youth Volunteer Service framework, and all Ethiopians were called upon to provide their usual cooperation to ensure the success of the two summits.

Furthermore, it was mentioned that Ethiopia has completed all preparations from logistical, protocol, and security perspectives.

It was noted that the theme of this year’s African Union Summit is “Ensuring sustainably available water and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063,” and it was stated that Ethiopia has implemented numerous activities aligned with this theme.

The spokesperson indicated that Ethiopia has made significant progress in the field of water cooperation and remains committed to transforming the Nile Basin cooperation framework into a commission.

Ethiopia has connected its neighbors through renewable energy, carried out diligent efforts in water conservation that have resulted in the restoration and enhancement of water resources, and made substantial contributions through the Green Legacy Initiative.

39th African Union Summit

The 39th African Union Summit was a major diplomatic conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2022. Its central theme was “Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent,” focusing on food security and health, while also addressing key political and economic issues like the COVID-19 pandemic response and regional conflicts.

Italy-Africa Summit

The Italy-Africa Summit is a high-level diplomatic conference initiated by Italy, first held in 2016, aimed at fostering political dialogue and partnership between Italy and African nations. It focuses on key areas of mutual interest such as economic development, energy security, and migration management. The summit represents Italy’s strategic effort to strengthen its diplomatic and economic ties with the African continent.

African Union Executive Council

The African Union Executive Council is a key decision-making body of the African Union (AU), composed of foreign ministers from member states. It coordinates and implements policies set by the AU Assembly, preparing its agenda and overseeing the Union’s budget and programs. It was established in 2002, succeeding a similar organ of its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), founded in 1963.

Agenda 2063

“Agenda 2063” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a strategic framework and blueprint for the socio-economic transformation of the African continent. Adopted by the African Union in 2015, it outlines a 50-year development plan with ambitious goals to achieve a prosperous, united, and peaceful Africa by the year 2063, building on past initiatives like the Lagos Plan of Action.

Nile Basin

The Nile Basin is the vast geographical region in northeastern Africa drained by the Nile River and its tributaries, encompassing parts of 11 countries. Historically, it was the cradle of ancient Egyptian civilization, which flourished along the river’s banks for millennia due to its annual flooding and fertile soil. Today, the basin remains a vital and shared resource for water, agriculture, and transportation, with its management being a central issue of regional cooperation and diplomacy.

Green Legacy Initiative

The Green Legacy Initiative is a large-scale national tree planting campaign launched by Ethiopia in 2019. It aims to combat deforestation and climate change by planting billions of seedlings across the country, setting several world records for the most trees planted in a single day. The initiative draws on Ethiopia’s environmental history and ambitious goal to restore its forest cover while promoting a culture of environmental stewardship among its citizens.