The 18th African Union (AU) summit opened on Sunday here in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, as African leaders gathered with the theme of "Boosting Intra-African Trade."

African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Jean Ping (R, front) arrives at the site of the 18th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 29, 2012. The 18th AU summit opened on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, as African leaders gathered with the theme of "Boosting Intra-African Trade." (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
The summit is set to elect new members of the AU Commission (AUC), namely, the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and the eight Commissioners. The current AUC members are coming to the end of its four year mandate in January 2012.

AUC Chairman Jean Ping, addressing the opening ceremony, said that Africa needs to continue to strengthen its peace and security. He noted that there are still outside interference into African internal affairs, which must be avoided.

Ping hailed the rapid economic growth of the continent. "In spite of the difficult international situation, growth on the continent has remained robust in 2011, reaching an average of five to six per cent. Several countries have exceeded this figure, some even reaching double figure growth rate," he said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called for establishing a peaceful world with sustainable development, respecting the rights of women and children, and dealing with climate change.

He called on the head of states attending the summit to help countries in transition. "This year, 25 African countries will hold elections at either the presidential, legislative or local level. Let us work to ensure all the elections are well-managed, transparent and inclusive," he said.

Ban also expressed his gratitude to China for funding the new AU Conference Center. He said that the new conference center of AU is "another sign of a rising Africa, a meeting ground for African peace and prosperity for generations to come".

Ban praised the relocation of UN political office for Somalia to Mogadishu last week, and for the first time in 17 years. ''This one modest office is a symbol. An unmistakable symbol of the struggle and sacrifice of all those who it possible, most notably the brave soldiers of AMISOM," he said.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Haitian President Michel Martelly, Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Rahim Al-Keab, and Equatorial Guinean President and AU Chairman Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo also attended the opening ceremony.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet