The 11th African Union (AU) Summit started on Monday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to tackle peace and security in Africa, increase of food and oil prices as well as the situation in Zimbabwe among others.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sets to inaugurate the summit on behalf of his hosting country, which will be followed by speeches from Jean Ping, AU Commission Chairperson, according to the Summit schedule.

Other leaders and top officials who will deliver speeches at the opening ceremony of the Summit include UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose Migiro and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, as well as Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.

Under the theme "Meeting the Millennium Development Goals on Water and Sanitation", the two-day 11th AU Summit is to be attended by heads of State and Government or representatives of 53 AU members.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2008)