SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, July 1 -- Heads of state and government or representatives of the 53 African Union (AU) members expressed the continent's aspiration for peace, partnership and development at the 11th AU Summit, which ended here Tuesday.

    SOLVING CONFLICT THROUGH DIALOGUE

    Participants emphasized the importance of joint efforts in safeguarding peace and security in every corner of Africa, saying no development could be achieved on the continent without no peaceand security.

    On conflicts in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan's western region of Darfur, as well as the latest developments in Zimbabwe, the African leaders called on all parties to abide by commitments and seek solutions through dialogue.

    The AU summit also adopted a resolution to encourage Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to resolve their differences through dialogue.

    The resolution noted that the establishment of a unity government in Zimbabwe would promote peace, stability, democracy and the reconciliation of the Zimbabwean people.

    COMMON ACTION TO CONFRONT FOOD CRISIS

    Despite an accelerated economic growth and an overall improvement in the policy environment, the ongoing global food crisis, soaring energy prices and climate change have posed fresh challenge on Africa's economy and development.

    African countries should have a unified and single voice in the international arena, urged AU Commissioner Jean Ping and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

    They called on African nations to increase agricultural production by expanding farmland and using water resources more efficiently.

    "Africa is one of the parts of the world most affected by the global food crisis, energy price hikes and climate change," Mubarak said.

    He called on the international community and institutions to find a solution to the worldwide food crisis through sincere and constructive dialogue and collective action.

    MEETING MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

    A large part of Africa remains "off-track" to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to a landmark report by the MDGs Africa Steering Group launched here Tuesday.

    The challenge of meeting the MDGs in African countries is compounded by the grave long-term risk posed by climate change and the continuing threat of conflict in many parts of the continent, the report said.

    The report, initiated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, also urges G8 nations to honor their promise to support development and poverty reduction efforts in Africa.