By Seleshi Tessema
ADDIS ABABA
Over 35 African leaders are set to meet Friday in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Heads of State and Government Summit.
The two-day summit's theme is: "Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063."
But like past summits, security issues are expected to take the center stage against the background of concerns over the rise of Boko Haram militant group in West African and the conflict in South Sudan.
The African Union Commission also expects the African leaders to endorse Agenda 2063 – a 50-year political, social and economic development roadmap for the African continent.
On the occasion, the African Union's main hall named after late South African leader Nelson Mandela will be officially inaugurated.
Other dignitaries to attend the summit include UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Spanish King Felipe VI.
Ethiopian Government Communication Affairs Office noted that more than 480 journalists representing a range of international media have been accredited to cover the summit.
