The Contracting Parties establish the African Union, whose main objectives shall be, among others, to: (a) achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa; (b) encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (c) promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance;(d) promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments; (e) promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels; (f) promote cooperation in all fields to raise the living standards of African peoples; (g) advance the development of the continent by promoting research in science and technology; (h) work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent.
The organs of the African Union are the following: (a) the Assembly of the Union; (b) the Executive Council; (c) the Pan-African Parliament; (d) the Court of Justice; (e) the Commission; (f) the Permanent Representatives Committee; (g) the Specialized Technical Committees; (h) the Economic, Social and Cultural Council; (i) the Financial Institutions. The Union shall function in accordance with the principles laid down in article 4, which include: gender equality; public participation; respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and good governance; promotion of social justice to ensure balanced economic development.
According to article 13, the Executive Council shall coordinate and take decisions on policies in areas of common interest to the Member States, including the following: energy, industry and mineral resources; food, agricultural and animal resources, livestock production and forestry; water resources and irrigation; environmental protection, humanitarian action and disaster response and relief.