Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi officially opened the 8th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in New Alamein, calling for continental unity on water security, sovereignty, and economic integration. The summit brought together high-level officials, including AU Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye and AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The meeting focused on institutional reform, accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and tracking progress on the AU's 2026 theme.
President Al-Sisi highlighted New Alamein's transformation from a heavily mined World War II battleground into a modern development hub, urging African leaders to move beyond fragmented strategies. He emphasized the need for integrated capabilities and joint efforts to shape the continent's future. Al-Sisi also delivered a strong message rejecting unilateral actions that threaten regional stability, stressing that cooperation in managing transboundary rivers must be based on international law and good neighborliness.
AU Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye echoed Al-Sisi's diplomatic approach to natural resources, emphasizing the need for wisdom, solidarity, and cooperation in managing shared water resources. He also stressed that trade agreements alone will not drive continental integration if they lack domestic industrial capacity, calling for massive investments in cross-border infrastructure to connect the continent.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reinforced the urgency of executing these strategies amid a volatile global geopolitical environment. He demanded a clearer division of labor between continental and regional institutions, emphasizing that Africa's integration agenda must move decisively from aspiration to implementation. Youssouf also highlighted the foundational role of security in achieving Agenda 2063.
The coordination meeting coincides with the first Alamein-Africa Forum, which opened in New Alamein, bringing together around 1,500 African business leaders to discuss investment, trade, and economic cooperation. The forum aims to promote greater economic integration and business cooperation across the continent. It is co-organized by the Egyptian government, the African Export-Import Bank, and the African Union Development Agency.
The Alamein-Africa Forum runs from October 2 to 4, providing a platform for African business leaders to engage in discussions on investment, trade, and economic cooperation. The forum's objectives align with the AU's efforts to promote economic integration and implement the AfCFTA. The meeting in New Alamein underscores Egypt's commitment to continental cooperation and development.
The 8th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and the Alamein-Africa Forum demonstrate the growing importance of New Alamein as a hub for African cooperation and development. The events highlight the continent's efforts to address pressing challenges, including water security, sovereignty, and economic integration, and to promote a more integrated and prosperous future for Africa.
Key points
- The 8th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting focuses on institutional reform, accelerating the AfCFTA, and tracking progress on the AU's 2026 theme of sustainable water availability and safe sanitation.
