Addis Ababa. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has joined fellow African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
The session was held on February 14, 2026, under the continental theme: Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.
The Assembly placed water security and sanitation at the centre of Africa’s long-term development agenda.
It sought to accelerate collective action to protect water resources, improve public health, and strengthen sustainable development pathways across the continent.
The session followed a series of high-level meetings attended by President Samia on February 13, which laid the political and policy groundwork ahead of the Assembly.
President Samia addressed the 2026 meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), held on the margins of the AU Summit.
In her address, she warned that climate change continues to exert growing pressure on key economic sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, livestock, forestry, tourism, and mining.
She said the worsening climate crisis is undermining livelihoods, weakening social systems, and deepening vulnerability across African societies.
The President reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to climate action, with a strong focus on expanding clean energy access, strengthening resilience, and increasing investment in renewable energy sources.
She cited solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower as priority areas, alongside the promotion of clean cooking solutions.
“Timely and reliable weather information saves lives, protects livelihoods, and reduces disaster-related losses,” she said, adding that many African countries still face serious financial and technical constraints in building such systems.
She called for stronger international cooperation and increased climate finance.
She said Africa needs predictable and accessible funding, fair financing terms, and technology transfer to support adaptation and mitigation efforts, especially in vulnerable economies.
President Samia further urged a unified African voice in global climate governance.
She said equity in financing, capacity building, and access to technology must remain central demands in international negotiations.
On sustainable development, she highlighted Tanzania’s efforts to expand renewable energy, strengthen climate resilience, and support low-carbon growth.
She said these policies are essential for economic stability, energy security, and job creation.
On February 13, President Samia also participated in the Italy–Africa Summit in Addis Ababa.
The meeting brought together Heads of State and Government to strengthen cooperation in economic development, energy, and security.
The discussions focused on deepening partnerships in investment, infrastructure, energy transition, and regional stability.
