African heads meet to discuss regional conflicts, climate change

African heads of state are arriving for an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. On the agenda are information and communication technologies, regional conflicts, and climate change.

The theme of this session is "Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for Development." The AU will also launch the Year for Peace and Security in Africa.

The leaders are expected to discuss conflicts in Sudan, Somalia and Madagascar. They are also expected to review the report of the commission on climate change negotiations held in Copenhagen in December.

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping speaks to African Union foreign ministers at the beginning of their meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Jon Black)