Launch of the 37th African Union Summit

Today, Saturday, the 37th African Summit opened in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, with the participation of dozens of African heads of state and governments. The summit will last for two days, themed: "Education in Africa for the 21st Century and Building a Resilient Educational System to Increase Access to Inclusive Education, Quality Lifelong Learning, and Relevant Learning in Africa." The African Union's website stated that "the summit will discuss the status of peace and security on the continent, consider the report of the Union's Peace and Security Council, and leaders will also launch the second decade of the African Union Agenda 2063." Other key issues that leaders will focus on include the African Continental Free Trade Area, climate change, and advocating for global reforms of financial institutions. Six out of the 55 member states are absent from the summit following their membership suspension due to coups, as Gabon and Niger joined the banned countries in 2023, which include Mali, Guinea, Sudan, and Burkina Faso.