(MONROVIA, LIBERIA – January 30, 2010): President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf arrived in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa, Friday night to attend a meeting of Heads of State and Government of the African Union Member States at their 14th Ordinary Session on 1^st and 2^nd February 2010 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The President was received on arrival by Senior Ethiopian Government officials. Also on hand to welcome the President were Liberia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union United Nations Offices, Dr. Edward Clinton and Foreign Minister Olubanke King Akerele.

A number meetings have been scheduled during the President’s stay in Addis Ababa, including  discussions on Saturday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Lawrence Cannon; the CEO of NEPAD, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki and a bilateral meeting with the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson.

The Liberian leader will later on Saturday participate in an Extraordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The President of Burkina Faso, Blasé Compoare will brief West African leaders on mediation efforts regarding the political situation in Guinea.  The Burkinabe President is ECOWAS’s Special Mediator on Guinea.

President Johnson Sirleaf  will later attend a banquet hosted by HE Ato Meles Zewani, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

One of the highlights during the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government is the launch of the New African Union Flag and the Continental Scientific Award Ceremony for two (2) successful African Scientists. There will be a presentation of the theme of the Summit alongside a 15 minute Video documentary to showcase ICT Investment in selected Member States.

The African Union Assembly will adopt the Staff Regulations and Rules; the Budget for the 2010 financial year and appoint new members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). The African Heads of State will also consider several reports including: the Report on the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa alongside that of African Year of Peace and Security; and the Report of the Commission on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.  They will further consider and adopt the Report of the Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee; the Report of the Ministerial Meeting on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); the Report of the Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms; and the Report of the Commission on the Implementation of Previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly.