Addis Ababa: The African Union annual summit, which brings most of the continent's leaders together, is becoming one of the key global diplomatic platforms, according to Government Communication Service. Government Communication Service State Minister, Selamawit Kassa said that besides African heads of state and government, leaders from other parts of the world and heads of the UN and other international organizations are arriving in Addis Ababa to attend the 37th AU summit. Briefing the media today, she revealed that 49 countries have confirmed attendance to the summit, 30 represented by their presidents and five with vice presidents. The summit, which is going to open tomorrow, will be a useful forum not only for discussing African matters but also in dealing with the global affairs, Selamawit stated. 'When we look at the current status of the African Union, it is long overdue that the annual summit of the union in Addis Ababa served as a platform where countries outside of Africa gather.' Accordin g to her, the summit has become a global diplomatic forum for leaders, representatives of countries and heads of international organizations. Some six leaders outside of Africa will attend this summit, the state minister added. About 13 leaders of international organizations, including the United Nations, will also take part in the 37th AU Summit, it was learned. Speaking on the role of Ethiopia as the seat of the African Union and host country, Selamawit noted that the country has remained a home of all Africans and a symbol of freedom. 'The fact that the African Union summit is hosted every year in Addis Ababa proves that Ethiopia is the home of all Africans.' Ethiopia has also initiated two big conferences that focus on the role of artificial intelligence to African growth and food sovereignty issues in the continent on the sidelines of the 37th African Union Summit. The two conferences will be held at the newly inaugurated Adwa Victory Memorial Museum for the coming two consecutive days. The 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union will be held this weekend under the theme of 'Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.' Source: Ethiopian News Agency