A 250-member Leon H.Sullivan Foundation delegation arrived here on Thursday in Addis Ababa.

The delegation consists of top officials and renowned personalities including board chairman of the foundation Ambassador Andrew Young, former Jamaican Prime Minster P.J Patterson, and renowned actor, Chris Tucker would stay in Ethiopia for two day before heading to Arusha, Tanzania.

The delegation was welcomed by Ethiopian CEO Girma Wakei, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Manager, Hailey G/Tsadik, and Director of the Ethiopian Millennium Celebration National Council Secretariat, Seyoum Berded.

Ethiopian Airlines is selected as the official carrier of the summit.

Speaking at the occasion CEO of Ethiopian Girma said “This is an opportunity we have been looking for many many years.”

“We are delighted that you are passing through Addis Ababa to go to Tanzania,” Girma said.

The mission of the foundation is always supporting Africa, which goes very well with the internal policy of the airlines, said the CEO.

Director of the Ethiopian Millennium Celebration National Council Secretariat, Syoum Berded said Ethiopia is not only the cradle of human kind butt also is the origin coffee.

Seyoum said the country has managed to plant over 700 million tree seedlings as part of the millennium celebration.

Coordinator of the delegates, Carl Masters on his part said, the foundation is delighted to form partnership with the airlines and the people of Ethiopia.

Ethiopian is transporting about 500 members of the delegation from Washington D. C to Arusha, Tanzania with its two jetliners. The delegates taking the May 28, 2008 flight made stop over here for two days. The delegates will be received by President Girma Woldegiorgis later on Friday for a banquet.

The foundation, which is inspired by the life and principles of Leon H.Sullivan, is aimed at promoting the political, entrepreneurial and intellectual leadership of the African Diaspora and friends of Africa, and to advocate on behalf of Africa and the world’s vulnerable people.

Sullivan Summit would convene June 2-6, 2008.

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