The 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) started off virtually on Saturday in the face of COVID-19 concerns.

The AU summit is being held under the theme of "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want".

The assembly, among other things, is anticipated to deliberate and consider the report on the institutional reform of the AU, report on the progress of the AU response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, as well as elections and appointments of the leadership of the AU Commission.

During the two-day summit, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will officially take over the rotating chair of the continental bloc from the outgoing chair South Africa, according to the AU. South Africa has been serving the rotating chairmanship of the AU since last year.

African heads of states and governments are also expected to elect new AU Commission officials, including the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Commission as well as commissioners who will be serving a four-year term.

African leaders had during the 28th AU Summit elected Chadian diplomat Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Ghanaian diplomat Thomas Kwesi Quartey, as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission.