The 38th African Union (AU) Summit will convene on 15 and 16 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together Heads of State and Government from all 55 AU member states, alongside leaders from international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. Under the theme 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations' the Summit will focus on advancing reparatory justice and fostering racial healing across the continent. Learn more an AU's website.

As a key development partner, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remains committed to support the implementation of Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic framework for achieving a prosperous, integrated and peaceful Africa by 2063. Through its Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), UNDP is aligning its efforts with the AU’s priorities and aspirations, leveraging expertise and resources to address the continent’s most pressing challenges.

The AU Summit provides a pivotal platform for UNDP to showcase its impactful initiatives and innovative solutions. The list of UNDP-led side events taking place on the margins of the Summit can be found below:

12 February 2025 | 15:00-17:00 EAT

The Future of Governance in Africa- Governance for people and prosperity

The Future of Governance in Africa- Governance for people and prosperity. The event holds on 12th February 2025 at the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, Addis Ababa at 3.00pm (Addis Ababa).  For colleagues in Addis Ababa or visiting Addis Ababa during this period, you are highly encouraged to attend this event in-person while those outside of Addis Ababa can join online. For all participants (whether in-person or online), please use the QR code attached to register. The conversation will focus on the imperative of mindset and values, institutions, resources and public engagement and active participation for consolidating democracy, and, a democratic governance that delivers. With your participation, it promises to be an exciting and a rewarding conversation.

Register to join online.

13 February 2025 | 09:00-10:30 EAT

Regional Partners Forum on timbuktoo

The Timbuktoo Initiative is a flagship programme designed to catalyze innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth across Africa. Building on the success of the inaugural Regional Partners Forum held in March 2024, this edition will deepen engagement around the transformative potential of Timbuktoo. Participants will receive updates on the initiative’s progress and engage in strategic dialogue to further amplify its impact.

13 February 2025 | 12:00-13:00 EAT

Carbon Registry Platform

In line with the establishment of the UNDP-Republic of the Congo's Africa Regional Carbon Markets Hub in partnership, UNDP and Sylvera are pleased to launch the Carbon Data Access Partnership Initiative. It forms part of UNDP’s efforts to promote high integrity carbon markets and boost carbon finance flows to Africa. This collaboration aims to provide developing countries with access to the world’s leading carbon credit database. Facilitating access to data will enable developing countries to engage more effectively with carbon markets, specifically under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and improve carbon project visibility to attract investments.

More information coming soon.

14 February 2025 | 9:30-13:15 EAT

African peace processes: Prospects for durable agreements to end conflicts

Drawing upon insights from a forthcoming publication as part of a joint Chatham House and UNDP research project on African Peace Processes: Lessons Learned, this event will highlight the experience gained from peace negotiations in Africa and assess key factors contributing to the varying durability of peace across the continent. Discussions will focus on the role played by the AU and regional economic communities (RECs) in driving successful outcomes with the input of key partners and public figures, and how such actors can more effectively support conflict resolution and foster sustainable peace in protracted post-conflict transitions.

Learn more. Register.

14 February 2025 | 15:00-18:30 EAT

Advancing Inclusive Development & #IAMSahel Creatives Cafe

The launch of the “Advancing Inclusive Development: Policy options for Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Mali and Niger” will be an opportunity to celebrate the successes and insights of the #IAMSahel Campaign. This immersive event aims to highlight the possibilities and promise of the region and to amplify the voices of youth in the Sahel Region. This report is an innovative, collaborative venture between the UNDP and AUC’s Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).  

Following the launch of this report, UNDP would further invite you to join us in celebrating some of the successes and insights of the #IAMSahel Campaign. This will be an immersive presentation of data and storytelling, highlighting the possibilities and promise of the region, amplifying the voices of the creative, innovative and resilient youth of the Sahel.

Register to join online.