South Africa will hand over its role as Chair of the African Union (AU) at the virtual 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government that will take place on 06 and 07 February 2021. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa as outgoing Chairperson, will officially relinquish the position of the chair of the AU to his successor, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, during the Opening Session of the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly on Saturday 6 February 2021.

The African Union theme for 2021 will be "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want".

During South Africa's tenure as Chair, the African Union achieved key priorities as outlined in its programme for 2020 among them the historic advent – on 1 January 2021 – of free trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

During the 34th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, the Assembly is expected to consider some of the Continent's pertinent issues related to the selection of the senior leadership of the African Union Commission.

The 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly is also expected to consider and adopt, among others, the report of 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council; a report on the institutional reform process of the AU; a progress report on the AU's response to COVID-19 pandemic in line with the Continental Strategy on COVID-19, as well as the outcomes of the 2nd Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.

(With input from South African Presidency)