On July 9, 2002 (May 29, 2002 lunar calendar), the first summit of the African Union opened. The first summit of the African Union (AU) was opened on the morning of the 9th at the International Conference Center in Durban, a coastal city in central South Africa. The first summit of the African Union (AU) was opened on the morning of July 9, 2002 at the International Conference Center in Durban, a coastal city in central South Africa. During the two-day session, leaders or representatives from 52 member states will discuss and make decisions on a series of major issues such as completing the transition of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union, establishing the main institutions of the African Union, and addressing the current challenges facing Africa. The convening of this meeting marked the beginning of the operation of a continent-wide political entity that oversees the political, economic, military, cultural and social affairs of Africa. The theme of this meeting is "Peace, Development and Prosperity: The African Century". Under the chairpersonship of the first African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government and South African President Mbeki, the meeting elected the leading body of this session and adopted the meeting agenda. The interim secretary-general of the meeting, former OAU Secretary-General Essy and Tanzanian President Mkapa also briefed the delegates on the impact of economic globalization and other issues at the meeting. During the morning meeting, leaders and delegates discussed and approved the rules of procedure for the AU's main institutions - the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Executive Council of Foreign Ministers, and the Standing Committee of Representatives - as well as the regulations of the AU Commission and a draft bill for the establishment of the Peace and Security Council. Madagascar was not invited to the meeting due to domestic political turmoil.