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African Leaders at the 7th European Union Summit Joint Declaration.
Later this week, heads of State and government will gather at the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This year’s meeting will focus on the theme of “Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation”.
This is highly relevant given that South Africa is currently struggling with its water supply.
The AU is intended to unite all African countries. Its mission is to build a better, more resilient continent.
VIDEO | AU Summit to focus on water availability, sanitation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMQ67rHy0Fg
For South Africans, this is an important matter, as the country has been struggling with water supply.
“I actually think that they should take the water crisis more seriously because we’re having water outages way too often, especially because water is literally a way of life, like, that’s what it is,” says a resident.
Another one adds, “I feel like leaders should explore alternative ways to get water to communities. We have different, various scientific methods to catch water. For example, they can use water catchment systems, install water catchment systems in people’s homes so that people can rely on alternative methods and not the only traditional method that’s there to supply water around communities.”
Peace & security
Other issues that leaders will be grappling with, are peace, security and economic development.
International Relations and Co-operations Minister Ronald Lamola says that South Africa is ready to make its contribution.
“We are looking forward to a great year, continuing to strengthen and affirm the role of multilateral platforms. As you are aware, we are chairing SADC as interim chair. This will help the process of constitutional transition in Madagascar and peacekeeping missions across the continent, including continued focus on the eastern DRC, where displacements persist. SADC must address this issue, along with regional integration, which is key.”
Lamola also outlines other talking points ahead of the Summit.
“Indeed, our year will be a hectic one. The UN, as you are aware, faces huge challenges, including budgetary constraints due to the US withdrawal from some of its institutions. It is a vital platform that we must continue to engage with, ensuring that the UN resolves its existential challenges and discharges its mandate as the world’s premier multilateral body. All member states have a role in this”
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will deliver his last address to the summit, as he will leave office later this year.
