Backgrouner: AU summit opens in Addis Ababa

Source: CCTV.com | 01-30-2007 08:08

The two-day meeting of the 8th African Union summit hopes to focus on science and technology. But inevitably, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region will be a subject of immediate concern.

According to the UN, Africa's GDP growth rate in 2006 rose to 5.7 from 5.2 percent in 2005. This year the African Union wants to promote the role that science and technology can play in the continent's development. Up to now growth has come largely from the strong demand for export commodities.

Wang Hongyi, director China Institute of Int'l Studies, said, "Progress of science and technology will be a decisive factor in the development of the region. Currently the different nations all work in an ad hoc manner to boost economic growth and realize integration. That's the reason that the summit is looking for a unified approach."