PAP President Sets Institutional Priorities as Seventh Legislature Begins First Ordinary Session

MIDRAND, South Africa, 16 July 2026: The President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, has outlined the priorities of the institution ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature, reaffirming the new Bureau’s commitment to restoring institutional effectiveness, strengthening parliamentary oversight and bringing the Parliament closer to the citizens of Africa.

Dr. Boutbig addressed journalists from across Africa and beyond during a virtual pre-session press conference held on 16 July 2026. The engagement provided an overview of the programme and expected outcomes of the Session, scheduled to take place from 17 July to 1 August 2026 at the Pan-African Parliament Headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.

The President described the Session as the formal commencement of the parliamentary programme of the Seventh Legislature and an important opportunity to consolidate the institutional renewal that followed the election of the new PAP Bureau on 30 April 2026.

The Bureau is led by Dr. Boutbig of Algeria, representing North Africa, alongside First Vice-President Dr. Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo of Ethiopia, Second Vice-President Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings of Ghana, Third Vice-President Djidda Mamar Mahamat of Chad and Fourth Vice-President Dr. Arlete Borges of Angola.

Strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of PAP

Addressing the media, Dr. Boutbig reaffirmed the determination of the Bureau to strengthen the effectiveness, credibility and visibility of the Pan-African Parliament and enhance its position as the parliamentary voice of the peoples of Africa.

The commitment reflects the wider mandate of the Parliament to give a voice to African citizens and the diaspora, promote democracy, human rights, good governance and accountability, support peace and security and facilitate the implementation of African Union policies and objectives. PAP is also expected to encourage cooperation between national and regional parliaments and promote the domestication of treaties and continental policy frameworks adopted by the African Union.

For the new leadership, the First Ordinary Session will therefore be more than a routine gathering of parliamentarians. It will provide an early test of the Seventh Legislature’s capacity to translate its institutional priorities into a coherent parliamentary programme capable of responding to Africa’s political, economic, social and environmental challenges.

The Session will allow members to examine the work programmes of the Permanent Committees, receive reports from African Union organs and institutions and develop recommendations and resolutions on issues requiring continental parliamentary attention.

Governance, peace and economic integration on the agenda

According to the President, the deliberations will focus on several of Africa’s most pressing priorities, including democratic governance, peace and security, regional integration, sustainable development and implementation of Agenda 2063.

These subjects lie at the heart of the Pan-African Parliament’s advisory, consultative and oversight responsibilities within the African Union governance architecture.

Through its Permanent Committees, the Parliament is expected to consider matters relating to conflict prevention, constitutional governance, human rights, trade, economic integration, gender equality, youth participation and the implementation of continental development programmes.

The committee process is particularly important because it provides the technical and political foundation for decisions eventually presented to the Plenary. Committee reports may result in resolutions, recommendations, model laws, policy proposals or requests for action by African Union institutions and Member States.

The official programme indicates that the Session will be organized in four phases, beginning with preparatory meetings of the Bureau, ambassadors, committee leadership and parliamentary caucuses on 17 and 18 July.

Permanent Committees and Caucuses will meet from 20 to 26 July, while the formal Plenary of the First Ordinary Session will run from 27 to 30 July. The programme is expected to include the President’s opening address, the swearing-in of new members, solidarity messages, presentations from African Union institutions, committee reports and deliberations on peace, security and the AU Theme of the Year.

The Plenary is expected to conclude with the adoption of resolutions and recommendations on 30 July.

Parliamentary action on water security and sanitation

A major focus of the Session will be the African Union Theme of the Year 2026: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

Dr. Boutbig underscored the need for legislative action, parliamentary oversight and sustained political commitment to addressing Africa’s water and sanitation challenges.

The African Union has elevated water security and safe sanitation to a continental political priority because of their direct relationship with public health, food security, industrialization, climate resilience, economic development and regional stability.

The theme was officially launched during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026. It seeks to mobilise political leadership, financing, innovation and institutional coordination around the implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and related continental policies.

The parliamentary dimension will be essential to the success of the initiative.

National and regional parliaments approve budgets, enact legislation, scrutinise government programmes and hold public authorities accountable for the delivery of essential services. Consequently, the achievement of continental targets on clean water and sanitation will depend partly on the ability of legislatures to ensure that AU commitments are reflected in national laws, development plans and public expenditure.

The Pan-African Parliament can also provide a platform for comparing national experiences, encouraging harmonized standards and promoting cooperation on shared rivers, lakes, groundwater systems and other trans-boundary water resources.

Through its committees and Plenary, PAP is expected to advocate increased investment in climate-resilient water infrastructure, stronger governance of water resources and greater attention to rural communities, informal settlements, women, children and other populations disproportionately affected by inadequate water and sanitation services.

Conference of Speakers to deepen parliamentary cooperation

One of the major highlights of the programme will be the Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments, scheduled for 31 July and 1 August 2026.

The Conference will bring together the leadership of parliamentary institutions from across the continent and is expected to strengthen cooperation between PAP, national legislatures and regional parliamentary assemblies.

It will also provide a platform for discussions on the harmonization and coordination of legislation, the implementation of African Union decisions and the role of parliaments in advancing Agenda 2063.

The participation of Speakers is particularly significant because many continental commitments can only become effective when they are incorporated into national legislation, budgets and oversight programmes.

Closer engagement between PAP and domestic legislatures could therefore help reduce the gap between decisions adopted at the continental level and their implementation within Member States.

The Conference will also reinforce the position of the Pan-African Parliament as a coordinating platform for parliamentary diplomacy and legislative cooperation across Africa.

Renewed emphasis on transparency and public participation

Dr. Boutbig called on African citizens to follow the proceedings through the Parliament’s communication platforms and reaffirmed the commitment of the institution to transparency, accountability and public participation.

He acknowledged the media as an essential partner in communicating the work of the Parliament and encouraged journalists to provide accurate, balanced and objective coverage throughout the Session.

The emphasis on communication and public engagement is particularly important for an institution established to represent the voices and aspirations of African citizens within the African Union.

Effective parliamentary work must not end with meetings, reports and resolutions. Citizens must be informed about the decisions being considered, how those decisions affect their lives and the extent to which governments and continental institutions are implementing agreed commitments.

Improved media engagement can also help increase public understanding of the Parliament’s work beyond periods of institutional controversy and draw attention to its contributions in areas such as governance, peace and security, continental trade, human rights, gender equality, climate action and sustainable development.

A defining Session for the Seventh Legislature

The First Ordinary Session will bring together Pan-African Parliamentarians, Speakers and members of national and regional parliaments, representatives of African Union organs and institutions, government officials, diplomats, civil society organizations, academics, development partners and international institutions.

The broad participation reflects the importance of the Session as both a parliamentary gathering and a platform for continental policy dialogue.

For the Seventh Legislature, the Session represents an opportunity to establish its priorities and demonstrate that institutional renewal can be translated into stronger oversight, effective parliamentary diplomacy and greater responsiveness to the needs of African citizens.

The challenge before the new Bureau will be to ensure that the outcomes of the Session extend beyond declarations and are followed by sustained committee work, engagement with national parliaments and effective monitoring of implementation.

As Dr. Boutbig indicated during the press conference, strengthening the credibility of the Pan-African Parliament will ultimately depend upon its ability to produce visible and practical contributions to Africa’s development, integration and democratic governance.

The First Ordinary Session therefore marks not only the opening of a new parliamentary programme but also the beginning of a critical period in which the Seventh Legislature will be expected to demonstrate the relevance and value of Africa’s continental Parliament.