OTTAWA — Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon announced Thursday he will attend the 14th African Union summit in Ethiopia from January 29 to 31.

"I look forward to my first visit to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa and to participating in my first African Union summit," the minister said in a statement.

"I hope that my presence at this important conference will send a clear signal to the organization and its members that Canada is committed to Africa, specifically in the areas of peace and security, conflict resolution, good governance and economic integration."

While in Ethiopia, Cannon will also meet with Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfim, as well as his officials from several other African countries.