This week's AU Monitor brings you news and updates from the 10th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government. As the Heads of State convene for the 10thAfrican Union Summit, Chrysantus Ayangafac provides an in-depth analysis of the structure, operation, and capabilities of the organization in relation to the continent's peace and security agenda. Further, the AU's Second Session of "Friday at the Commission" recently held a discussion with the theme: “Chinese presence in Africa: An opportunity or an obstacle to the development of Africa?" to discuss Sino-African cooperation.

Also, the second African Private Sector Forum under the theme "Africa's Industrial Drive: The Private Sector and Corporate Citizenship" recently took place at the AU headquarters. The objective of this Forum was to "sensitize the African population on the available investment opportunities as well as the promotion of good governance and mobilization of professional know-how in the business world as promoted by the United Nations Global Compact". Lastly, the AU is working to strengthen economic integration in Africa with the development of three premier financial institutions within the organization and the creation of a pan-African stock exchange. In peace and security news, United Nations and AU envoys for the Darfur peace process continue to encourage a comprehensive peace accord in the region and are "hopeful that peace talks regarding the Sudanese region can reconvene soon".

Further, the AU Commission recently gave US$600,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) as a sign of solidarity and "recommitment to solving the problem of forced displacement in Africa". In development news, African negotiators at the Development Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations are concerned they might be completely marginalized from the negotiations this year; and that their development concerns and the issue of rural livelihoods will not be addressed.

Also, the African Development Bank (AfDB) pledges to be Africa's premier continental development bank and serve as an African voice on development internationally. Lastly, a 13-member Independent High Level Panel of the AfDB released a report entitled "Investing in Africa's Future: The AfDB in the 21st Century", which calls for a "greater focus on areas that contribute directly to increasing African productive capacity and economic integration: investing in infrastructure, building capable states, promoting the private sector and developing skills".

In regional news, thirteen African countries are planning to form a common land policy and develop a common framework on land use in their respective nations to "strengthen land rights, enhance productivity and secure livelihoods among the citizens".

AU Deepens Africa's Economic Integration (PANA) - Africa's premier investment banking institution is expected to be formally launched within 24 months to provide the much-needed capital to finance infrastructural development in Africa, especially the construction of cross-border highways and the creation of telecommunication links.

AU Supports UNHCR Activities(Daily Monitor) - The African Union Commission recently donated US$ 600,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programs in four African countries.

The Private Sector and Corporate Citizenship Press Release - The second African Private Sector Forum begins Tuesday 22 January 2008, at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: " Africa's Industrial Drive: The Private Sector and Corporate Citizenship". The theme of the Forum ties with the theme of the 10th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly : "Industrial Development of Africa".

AfDB: Africa's Premier Development Institution Press Release - Given the huge development challenges it faces, Africa, more than any other region, needs a premier continental development bank, an Independent High Level Panel on the Bank Group says in a report released on Tuesday in Tunis.

Update on Darfur Peace Process (BuaNews) - The United Nations and African Union envoys for the Darfur peace process said they are hopeful that peace talks regarding the Sudanese region can reconvene soon.

WTO Trade Negotiations Aileen Kwa (IPS) - African negotiators are concerned that their development concerns have been sidelined in the much vaunted Doha Development Round of negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Whether the round, which has missed two previous deadlines, will be concluded this year or not depends on several issues.

AU Under Scrutiny Chrysantus Ayangafac (ISS Today) - The inception of the AU in 2002 was greeted with much fanfare and optimism. Though there was sceptism, even ardent Afro-pessimists conceded that the AU marked a significant paradigm shift with regards to conflict prevention and management, thus providing the continent with a plausible chance of solving its problems. As Heads of State and Government convene in Addis Ababa in 31st January - 2nd February 2008 for the 10th AU Summit, the organisation is at a critical juncture. Almost seven year down the road, the organisation has had mixed results. While the desirability of the organisation in not in dispute, its structure and operation have come under intense scrutiny over the years.

AfDB in 21st Century Press Release - "We believe the ADB can, and must become the premier development institution in Africa, providing a strong voice for- and within- Africa, so that Africans can take their rightful place at the forefront of continental economic stewardship".

Sino-African Cooperation Discussion Press Release - The theme: "Chinese presence in Africa: An opportunity or an obstacle to the development of Africa?", will be at the centre of discussions during the Second Session of the "Friday of the Commission" debates scheduled to take place on Friday 18 January 2008 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Regional Countries Common Land Policy Innocent Gahigana (New Times) - Thirteen African countries intend to forge a common land policy, the Registrar of Land Tittles in the Ministry of Lands and Environment, Eugene Rurangwa has said.