The president of the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, Steven Ben-Joel, has called on AU member countries to prioritise sustainable water availability and a safe sanitation system.

Mr Ben-Joel said that these are the cornerstones of the continent’s development agenda.

Mr Ben-Joel made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday to unveil the 2026 African Day Celebration Programme and the Inauguration of the local organising committee.

He said the event was a continental call to action on a subject that speaks directly to the future of Africa and the responsibility all Africans share in shaping it.

“The African Day is commemorated every May 25, because the Organisation of African Union was set up on May 25, 1963.

“It stands as a powerful reminder of our collective journey; one rooted in unity, resilience and a shared vision for a prosperous and integrated continent as articulated in Agenda 2063—The Africa We Want.

“This year, we are proud to host a three-day continental celebration from May 23 to May 25, 2026,” he said.

The 2026 African Day celebration will be marked with the theme, ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation System to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063’.

Mr Ben-Joel said the theme was not only timely but urgent, “because water is life, water is dignity, and water is development.

He said that his organisation was making a clear policy statement through its platform as a non-state actor for Africa to fulfil the cornerstone of its development programmes under Agenda 2063.

He therefore urged governments, development partners, and the private sector to take immediate and decisive action by significantly increasing investment, driving innovation, and strengthening collaboration in the water and sanitation sector.

He also urged immediate, practical steps to empower local communities so they can actively take ownership of sustainable development.

(NAN)