Photo taken on Feb. 2, 2009 shows the
general view of the opening ceremony of the 12th AU summit at the
conference center of the United Nations' Economic Commission of
Africa(ECA) in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Yu
Yang) Photo
Gallery>>>
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the
African Union (AU) Commission Jean Ping said Monday at the opening ceremony of
the 12th AU Summit that Africa should step up infrastructure development in
order to boost the physical integration of the continent.
At the ceremony attended by United Nations Secretary
General Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa
and heads of state and government of the AU member countries, Jean Ping said the
theme for the summit is infrastructure development in Africa, especially in the
transport and energy sectors.
Secretary General of the United Nations
Ban Ki-Moon addresses the opening ceremony of the 12th AU summit at the
conference center of the United Nations' Economic Commission of
Africa(ECA) in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Feb. 2, 2009.
(Xinhua/Zhang Jun) Photo Gallery>>>
"The choosing of this theme is a signal for the
acceleration of physical integration of the continent and it reflected the
determination to alternate from thinking to action in regard of improving
African countries' infrastructure conditions," he said.
The AU chief added that efforts would be focused on
specific projects, which constitute the core of concerns and the daily
aspiration of African peoples.
Addressing the impact of the global financial crisis,
Jean Ping noted that it had proved necessary for Africa's voice to be heard in
the making of world economic decisions.
He mentioned that the AU will seek participation at
the G20 summit in London to represent the continent of Africa.
Talking about the food shortage confronted by the
African peoples, Jean Ping said African countries will make medium and long-term
plans to support the agriculture sector in order to tackle the problem of food
insecurity.
Regarding the AU Commission, Jean Ping said it would
seek institutional capacity building and shore up efficiency through investment
on financial and human resources.
The AU chief also mentioned security situations in
Somalia, Sudan's Darfur region and the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling for
all related parties to make joint efforts to realize peace and security in those
countries or regions.
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon attended the 12th summit of the African Union (AU) here on Monday, urging African nations to utilize all necessary resources and funds to develop infrastructure as it is the key to the continent's development. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the summit, Ban said infrastructure development is key to Africa's economic growth and social progress. Full story
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU)
started the opening ceremony of its 12th Summit on Monday morning here in the
Ethiopian capital, with infrastructure development, financial crisis, and
regional security and safety issues high on the agenda for the next two days.
AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping, United Nations
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the League of Arab States
Amr Moussa and several African heads of state and government will deliver their
speeches on the ceremony.Full story
ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU)
started its 12th Summit Sunday morning here in the Ethiopian capital, with the
continent's infrastructure development high on its agenda.
The first day of the summit is dedicated to a special
session on Africa's Union Government, which is designed to seek the integration
of the African continent.Full story
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Infrastructure
development, a key factor to the continent's social and economic advancement, is
to top the agenda of the 12th African Union (AU) Summit slated for Feb. 1-3 in
the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Speaking at a press conference held ahead of the summit, AU
Commission Chairman Jean Ping said the theme of "Infrastructure Development in
Africa" for the upcoming meeting was decided at the11th summit held in Sharm
el-Sheike last June.Full story
Libyan leader Muammar al-Qathafi(C)
arrives at the conference center of the United Nations' Economic
Commission of Africa(ECA) prior to the opening ceremony of the 12th AU
Summit in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Feb. 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Zhang
Jun) Photo
Gallery>>>
