The Constitutive Act of the African Union, was signed on 11 July 2000 in Lomé, Togo and sets the framework under which the African Union is to conduct itself.
Objectives: To promote peace, democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance, to establish the necessary conditions, which enable the continent to play its role in the global economy and in international negotiations and to promote sustainable development.
Summary of provisions: This Act replaces the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity (art. 33). Article 4 defines the principles, which are to guide the action of Member States. Articles 5 to 23 define the organs of the Union, their functions and their modus operandi. These include inter alia an Executive Council, the Pan African Parliament, a Court of Justice and Financial Institutions. The Executive Council is inter alia to co-ordinate and take decisions on policies in areas including, forestry, water resources and environmental protection (art. 13). Specialised Technical Committees are also established, including one on industry, science and technology, energy, natural resources and the environment (art. 14.1)
(Source: ECOLEX, 04.2018) *Constitutive Act of the African Union (see at Ecolex website)