AU Summit digs into issues of infrastructure, financial crisis, regional security

The UN chief also talked about other pending challenges facing Africa and the world, such as climate change, high food prices and energy insecurity.

On the opening ceremony, Chairperson of the AU Commission Jean Ping said that Africa should step up infrastructure development in order to boost the physical integration of the continent.

"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.

The outgoing chairperson of the AU, Jakaya Kikwete, said that he was saddened by the recent developments in Madagascar, where a political turmoil is still going on.

"We are saddened by developments in Madagascar," the outgoing chairperson said at the ceremony.

Madagascar's opposition protests against President Marc Ravalomanana's government since last weekend have created a political crisis on the Indian Ocean island, killing more than 100people, and bringing the worst scenes of street violence since 2002, when Ravalomanana overthrew former president Didier Ratsiraka after a six-month standstill.

"I wish to take this opportunity to call upon military leaders of these countries to respect the Constitutions of their countries," Kikwete said.

He emphasized that the efforts to remove power from the democratically elected governments are unacceptable.

Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa also delivered a speech on the opening ceremony, strongly criticized the Israeli attacks on Gaza, and called for an immediate ceasefire.

On the same day, the AU Assembly elected Libyan leader Muammar Khaddafi to be the rotating chairperson of the pan-Africa bloc for one year, succeeding outgoing Chairperson Jakaya Kikwete, the president of Tanzania.

The summit, slated for Feb. 1 to 3 in the Ethiopian capital, is held with infrastructure development in Africa high on its agenda. The first day of the summit was devoted to a special session on the Union Government.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei