As the Republic of Burundi prepares to assume the Chairmanship of the African Union, its vision reflects a clear commitment to people-centered development, placing children, youth, and vulnerable communities at the heart of Africa’s continental priorities at a moment when the continent is navigating both persistent challenges and transformative opportunities. This forward-looking approach closely aligns with the mandates of key partners, notably UNICEF, a convergence that was highlighted during a courtesy visit held at the Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in Addis Ababa with Dr. Laila O. Gad, UNICEF Representative to the African Union. The exchange offered an opportunity to reflect on shared priorities and explore avenues for cooperation, underscoring the strong alignment between Burundi’s Chairmanship agenda and UNICEF’s mission to advance the rights and well-being of children and young people across Africa.
Central to Burundi’s forthcoming Chairmanship are three interlinked strategic pillars designed to respond to Africa’s immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a long-term sustainable progress. At the foundation of this agenda is the priority accorded to water and sanitation, in line with the African Union’s thematic focus and rooted in the recognition that access to clean water and adequate sanitation is essential to public health, human dignity, and sustainable development, particularly for children and vulnerable populations whose health, education, and resilience depend on these basic services. Building on this emphasis on human well-being, Burundi’s agenda also highlights peace and security as indispensable conditions for development through the pillar of Silencing the Guns, reinforcing Africa’s collective efforts toward conflict prevention and stability while reflecting Burundi’s conviction that lasting peace is a prerequisite for socio-economic transformation, a commitment further illustrated by the leadership of H.E. President Évariste Ndayishimiye in his capacity as African Union Special Envoy for the Sahel Region and Champion of African Youth on Peace and Security, roles that place youth engagement and stability at the centre of continental peace efforts.
Complementing these priorities is the A-RISE Initiative, which brings a future-oriented dimension to Burundi’s Chairmanship by promoting youth and women empowerment through innovation, digital transformation, and information technology, positioning Africa’s young population as active drivers of inclusive growth in an increasingly digital world. These priorities naturally converge with UNICEF’s evolving role in supporting Africa’s development agendas, as the organization reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with the African Union, its Member States, and African institutions in order to accelerate scalable and sustainable solutions for children, even as Africa continues to face complex challenges ranging from conflict and fragility to structural constraints affecting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Within this context, UNICEF recognizes Africa’s children and youth as a powerful force for transformation when supported through inclusive policies, innovation, and digital empowerment, an approach that is further reflected in its efforts to intensify the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and its support to the African Committee of Experts, initiatives that closely complement Burundi’s Chairmanship priorities in advancing child protection, education, participation, and the promotion of children’s rights within continental policy frameworks. Discussions also highlighted digitalization as a particularly promising area of collaboration under the A-RISE Initiative, where leveraging innovation ecosystems and digital skills for youth and women empowerment offers significant potential to expand opportunities, foster resilience, and accelerate inclusive development, with UNICEF’s experience in digital solutions for education, social services, and child protection positioning it as a natural partner in this endeavour. As Burundi prepares to steer the African Union at a pivotal moment for the continent, its engagement with UNICEF reflects a shared commitment to peace, human development, and the empowerment of children and youth, with the convergence of priorities under the Chairmanship laying a strong foundation for meaningful and impactful cooperation that aligns continental ambition with concrete action for Africa’s present and future generations.