Lagos Plan of Action (LPA) and the Final Act of Lagos (1980): incorporating programmes and strategies for self-reliant
  development and cooperation among African countries.

The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Nairobi 1981) and the Grand Bay Declaration and Plan of Action on
  Human rights: two instruments adopted by the OAU to promote Human and People’s Rights in the Continent. The Human
  Rights Charter led to the establishment of the African Human Rights Commission located in Banjul, The Gambia.

Africa’s Priority Programme for Economic recovery (APPER) - 1985: an emergency programme designed to address the
  development crisis of the 1980s, in the wake of protracted drought and famine that had engulfed the continent and the
  crippling effect of Africa’s external indebtedness.

OAU Declaration on the Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and the Fundamental Changes taking place in
  the World (1990): which underscored Africa’s resolve to seize the imitative, to determine its destiny and to address the
  challenges to peace, democracy and security.

The Charter on Popular Participation adopted in 1990: a testimony to the renewed determination of the OAU to   endeavour to place the African citizen at the center of development and decision-making.

The Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) - 1991: commonly known as the Abuja Treaty, it seeks   to create the AEC through six stages culminating in an African Common Market using the Regional Economic   Communities (RECs) as building blocks. The Treaty has been in operation since 1994.

The Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (1993): a practical expression of the determination   of the African leadership to find solutions to conflicts, promote peace, security and stability in Africa.

Cairo Agenda for Action (1995): a programme for relaunching Africa’s political, economic and social development.

African Common Position on Africa’s External Debt Crisis (1997): a strategy for addressing the Continent’s External   Debt Crisis.

The Algiers decision on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (1999) and the Lome Declaration on the framework for   an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes (2000).

The 2000 Solemn Declaration on the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation: establishes the   fundamental principles for the promotion of Democracy and Good Governance in the Continent.

Responses to other challenges: Africa has initiated collective action through the OAU in the protection of environment, in   fighting international terrorism, in combating the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, malaria and tuberculosis or   dealing with humanitarian issues such as refugees and displaced persons, landmines, small and light weapons among   others.

The Constitutive Act of the African Union: adopted in 2000 at the Lome Summit (Togo), entered into force in 2001.

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD): adopted as a Programme of the AU at the Lusaka Summit   (2001).