Parliament, Wednesday, 25 March 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation today received a briefing by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on South Africa’s contribution to the outcomes of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly, where South Africa played a significant role.
The Ordinary Session was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 14 to 15 February 2026, under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”.
South Africa co-hosted a session with the AU Commission and the International High-Level Panel on Water Investment for Africa (AU-AIP). The session centred on sustainable water management, aligning with Agenda 2063 goals and South Africa’s priorities. South Africa also participated in the launch of ACHIEVE Africa, an initiative aiming to build Africa’s research and development capacity for vaccine and therapeutic sovereignty.
The committee noted that the event also saw South Africa’s re-election to the AU Peace and Security Council, reflecting its commitment to continental peace and stability.
The committee also received an update on South Africa’s participation in the G20 and heard that the AU Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a declaration expressing concerns about South Africa’s exclusion from the G20 during the United States’s G20 Presidency in 2026. The declaration calls on the US to uphold the principles of inclusivity and equality of participation and to facilitate constructive arrangements that reinforce the G20’s unity, credibility and effectiveness.
The committee heard that South Africa’s exclusion is irregular and that South Africa’s G20 declaration is sound, in that the US participated in some of G20 activities, while choosing not to participate in the handover.
The committee Chairperson, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, said South Africa must maintain and safeguard its sovereignty and raise the bar in global governance. In addition, South Africa should support the adoption of a single currency for Africa. “Africa must retain its sovereignty. Our energy and resources must be used to propel members states to make Africa one, as a single entity that will strengthen the African Union and Africa’s position on the globe,” said Mr Mahumapelo.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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