AU Conference Center and Office Complex is the official seat and headquarters of the African Union, located in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. There is some sort of symbolism in the building, where the main office building is 99.9 metres (328 feet) tall, in reference to the official creation of the African Union in 1999. Also, it is since that year when the African continent began its rise.
The main offices building overlooks a vast conference centre where African heads of state are expected to meet for years to come. The panoramic view of the Conference Centre is like two hands holding each other, which also signify the friendship which is strengthening between Africa and the builder of the complex PR China.
As a matter in fact, this magnificent headquarters is built with Chinese assistance. Moreover, the Great Hall of this enormous complex is meant to convey the message of optimism and a new era of hope. Official construction began in 2009, and it was opened in 2012, when then AU Chairman, the President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema said that this magnificent architectural masterpiece is “a reflection of the new Africa”.
The total floor area is 52,000 square metres (560,000 square feet), it has office space for around 360 employees, large plenary hall for the Peace and Security Council, a library and a tap-proof conference room, which will be used as an operations centre when there will be conflicts.
As the whole complex was gift from the Chinese, also the interior of the building complex was furnished and paid for by Beijing. Today, the new AU Building complex, dominates the Addis Ababa’s skyline, as it is the tallest building in the city. Glistening in the Ethiopian sunshine, it is truly a modern architectural symbol.
