African Union Summit

I. Summit Overview​

The primary agenda of this summit was to discuss the establishment of a United States of Africa. In accordance with the resolution of the 8th African Union Summit, the African Union (AU) is gradually transitioning toward becoming an African federation. While many African nations support this vision, significant differences persist regarding its implementation. According to informed sources close to the proceedings, the summit focused extensively on this issue, proposing the initial establishment of an AU government during the transitional phase. Additional key topics included addressing African hotspots such as the Darfur and Somalia issues, the role of the AU Peace and Security Council, human rights, child welfare and poverty in Africa, and strengthening AU institutions.

On June 30, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a letter congratulating the opening of the 9th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Accra, Ghana.

II. About the African Union​

Established in July 2002 as the successor to the Organization of African Unity, the African Union is a pan-African political entity integrating political, economic, and military cooperation. Its primary missions are to maintain and promote peace and stability across the continent, implement reforms and poverty reduction strategies, and advance Africa’s development and rejuvenation.

The AU holds biannual summits, which include meetings of heads of state, ministerial conferences, and sessions of permanent representatives to the AU.

III. The 9th AU Summit​

The 9th AU Summit opened on July 1, 2007, at the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana. It was attended by leaders from 53 African countries, as well as representatives from the Arab League, the European Union, the United Nations, and international observers.

IV. Venue Description​

The summit was held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), Ghana’s most traditional conference venue, which has hosted numerous international events. The centre features three multimedia meeting rooms. The main hall, with over 1,000 seats including a podium, audience seating, and media rooms, served as the primary venue for the summit. Two smaller meeting rooms, each with 250 seats, were available as auxiliary venues.

V. Conference Audio System​

The AICC was fully equipped with CREATOR professional audio conference systems from China, including discussion, simultaneous interpretation, and infrared listening products. To support this high-level African event, Guangzhou Tianyu Creaton Technology Co., Ltd., the manufacturer of CREATOR systems, collaborated closely with Ghanaian engineering contractors to develop a tailored solution. Despite tight timelines, the project was completed successfully through joint efforts with Ghanaian technical teams.

1. Main Conference Hall​

   The podium was equipped with 16 speaking units: one CREATOR CR-TP3102D digital discussion chair unit with a slide-up design and a large touchscreen for bilingual display and speech management, one CR-3102D2 chair unit, and 14 CR-3104D2 representative units. The audience area featured 200 CREATOR CR-3104B1 representative units for independent speaking by delegates, each with a wired headset for clear audio reception.

   For simultaneous interpretation, 10 CREATOR CR-M3103 interpreter units were installed in the booth, providing five-language interpretation services with two interpreters per language for relay translation. Multiple infrared radiation panels were strategically placed to ensure seamless coverage throughout the hall, enabling delegates and journalists to listen via wireless infrared receivers.

2. Auxiliary Meeting Rooms​

   Two medium-sized meeting rooms, also used for ministerial meetings during the summit, were each equipped with one CREATOR M3102B1 chair unit and 100 M3104B1 representative units. Ten CREATOR M3103 interpreter units per room provided five-language simultaneous interpretation, supported by over 200 wireless infrared receivers per room. This configuration allowed each auxiliary room to host meetings with 100 speakers and 300 listeners.

CREATOR’s manufacturer dispatched technicians to Ghana for on-site support and conducted technical training for local staff, earning praise from the Ghanaian government.

VI. System Performance​

At this high-level African summit, heads of state used CREATOR’s globally unique slide-up design conference system. The system connected hundreds of speaking units via a central control unit and provided six channels of simultaneous interpretation (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, etc.). Over 1,000 attendees, including delegates, invited guests, and global journalists, utilized the interpretation services.