AU Water Theme Central to Addressing Scarcity and Health Burden:  Indian Ambassador

Addis Ababa, February 13, 2026 (ENA)—The Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia has described the water theme of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit as pivotal to addressing growing water scarcity and the related health challenges affecting millions across the continent.

Speaking to ENA, Anil Kumar Rai, India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, emphasized that the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” central to alleviate water related health burdens across the continent. 

Ambassador Rai said the focus on sustainable and hygienic water systems comes at a critical time when many African regions face recurrent drought and widespread waterborne diseases.

Referring to the 39th Summit of the AU and its alignment with Agenda 2063, he underlined that improved access to safe water and sanitation would significantly reduce disease prevalence, extend life expectancy and ease healthcare costs for vulnerable communities.

“Africa as a continent, there are many regions which are drought affect, which are deficit in water and waterborne diseases are quite common in this country,” adding, “Ensuring sustainable, clean and hygiene to the populations will not only bring down the diseases, but it also increases the life”.

The ambassador added that responsible and efficient water utilization has far reaching implications beyond health.

According to him, sustainable water management directly strengthens agricultural productivity and supports industrial growth, both of which are pillars of long-term development.

“Sustainable utilization of water has great impact on agricultural productivity and industrialization. So, this is a very important theme, and we will be very happy to contribute in pushing forward this agenda and implementing it on the ground,” he stated.

Rai reaffirmed India’s readiness to support the implementation of the second Ten Year Plan under Agenda 2063, describing his country as a strategic partner of the African Union.

He further noted that trade between India and African countries currently exceeds 100 billion US dollars, with both sides aiming to double the figure by 2030.

Cooperation, he said, spans agriculture, food processing, mining and digital infrastructure, among other sectors.

Highlighting Africa’s demographic and resource advantages, the ambassador said the continent’s youthful population and vast natural wealth present significant opportunities for shared growth.

According to the ambassador, the continent has abundant natural resources including land, water, agro climatic regions, animal husbandry, major rare earth minerals, which are needed for green energy transition.  

“So overall, this is a continent where the economic growth is there, population growth is there, and also the demand is there. So, I feel that all basic sectors, including agriculture, mining, industries and the service sector has good potential to grow,” he explained.

Rai further stressed that as partners in the Global South, India and African countries share comparable demographic trends and development aspirations, calling for closer collaboration to unlock resources and drive sustained progress in the years ahead.