On September 13, 2026, in New Delhi, Évariste Ndayishimiye delivered the closing remarks at the BRICS summit on behalf of the African Union. The Burundian president and AU chair called for a stronger partnership focused on energy, water, and infrastructure. He reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to building lasting and mutually beneficial bilateral relations. The leader also welcomed diplomatic progress that has helped strengthen the continent’s integration into the global arena. Finally, he expressed his deep gratitude to India for its key support in securing the African Union’s admission to the G20.
In his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye addressed the closing day of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 13, 2026. He called for a deeper strategic partnership between the emerging economies bloc and the African continent, placing cooperation on key infrastructure, energy, and water resource management at the heart of economic priorities. In his remarks, the Burundian head of state reaffirmed Africa’s strong commitment to building solid, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking bilateral relations.
In this spirit, Africa calls on its partners to work together to build a stronger partnership with the BRICS, one that matches our shared ambitions and those of future generations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank India for its leadership of the BRICS and for the decisive role it played in securing the African Union’s permanent membership of the G20. At the same time, I commend South Africa for its outstanding G20 presidency and for strongly championing the voice of Africa and the Global South.
Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union (AU)
Addressing BRICS members, the AU Chairperson stressed that water and sanitation are at the heart of the African Union’s 2026 priorities. He emphasized that water, energy, and transport form the essential pillars of regional development. These key infrastructure sectors remain indispensable to advancing the continent’s economic transformation.
In 2026, the African Union is placing particular emphasis on sustainable access to water and sanitation. But Africa is still seeking to meet vital needs—and I say vital because they are as essential to the continent as these functions are to the human body itself. Water comes first, because water is life. Without it, no land can flourish, no city can thrive, and no people can prosper. Transport infrastructure comes next, because it forms the veins and arteries of our continent.
Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union (AU)
It is worth noting that, during the 18th BRICS Summit, member countries unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration, a 140-point document that, among other provisions, calls for a greater role for India and Brazil within the United Nations.
