Heads of state have begun arriving in Addis Ababa for the 39th African Union Heads of State Summit, opening today.

Kenyan President William Ruto, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit reached the Ethiopian capital on the morning of the summit. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other AU leaders had arrived earlier.

The visiting dignitaries were received at Bole International Airport by senior Ethiopian government officials before heading to the African Union headquarters.

The summit convenes under the theme, “Ensuring Sustainable Water Supply and Secure Sanitation Systems for the Achievement of Agenda 2063.” Delegates are expected to discuss water access, sanitation systems, and strategies to advance development priorities across member states.

Recognizing that over 400 million people in Africa lack safe drinking water and over 700 million lack adequate sanitation, the AU has designated 2026 as the year to accelerate progress in water and sanitation (WASH) as a, critical driver of economic growth, public health, and climate resilience.