Sirte Declaration calls for an African Union

The treaty’s legal commencement advanced the framework for African economic integration envisaged in 1991.

Developing countries reaffirmed the group’s founding commitments to solidarity, economic cooperation and fairer international relations.

Its founding agreement entered into force, creating a research and policy institution owned by developing countries to support collective action.

The group’s ministerial conference adopted a declaration and action plan on trade, investment and finance among developing countries.

Ministers put forward cooperation among developing regions as a means to expand trade and development opportunities.

G77 leaders set out a collective vision for development and international economic reform at their first summit of heads of state and government.

Alongside the declaration, the summit adopted an action programme addressing South–South cooperation and the group’s development priorities.

African leaders adopted the AU’s founding act, setting out goals of unity, integration, peace and sustainable development.

WTO members affirmed that the TRIPS Agreement should be read to support members’ right to protect public health and promote access to medicines.

The AU succeeded the OAU, opening a new institutional phase of African integration and collective diplomacy.