ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia said on Thursday the week-long 30th AU summit which concluded on Monday attracted more than 10,000 delegates, the largest figure in the organization's history.
Speaking to journalists, Meles Alem, spokesperson of Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the delegates included 49 heads of states and leaders including non-African ones such as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Meanwhile, 678 foreign journalists also covered the AU summit.
"The Ethiopian people and government worked hand in hand to make the AU summit successful, which is expected to boost Ethiopia's destination as conference tourism, helped publicize its hospitality industry and national air carrier Ethiopian Airlines," he further said.
Alem also said senior officials from non-African countries including China, Qatar, U.A.E, Norway and Estonia attended the AU summit.
The 30th AU summit which was held from January 22-29, was conducted under the theme "Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation."
The Summit saw Rwandan President Paul Kagame taking over the one-year rotating AU Chairperson position from Guinean President Alpha Conde.
