On 23 January, the Special Representative of the Secretary General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga met with the Ambassador of Burundi to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Willy Nyamitwe, the incoming Chairperson of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee.
Discussions focused on Burundi’s priorities during its leadership of the African Union for the period February 2026 to February 2027. Ambassador Nyamitwe outlined three strategic priority areas guiding Burundi’s chairmanship.
These include advancing the African Union Theme of the Year on Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063; strengthening Youth, Peace and Security initiatives, including youth engagement in conflict prevention and management, noting the role of President Évariste Ndayishimiye as the AU Youth Champion; and promoting innovation, research and skills development to support continental integration, inclusive growth, trade, infrastructure and health systems.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships, including through engagement with the G20, to advance Africa’s development and peace and security priorities.
