Addis Ababa: Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) is set to discuss on several pressing issues affecting legal practice in the continent during its 14th annual Conference in Addis Ababa. The 14th annual Conference of Pan African Lawyers Union will be held in Addis Ababa from October 16-19, 2024. PALU Council Executive Committee has started today a two days meeting on the detailed annual reports and agendas to be presented at the conference. It was learned that this significant event will gather representatives from 54 national lawyers' associations and 5 sub-regional associations, along with thousands of legal professionals from across Africa and the diaspora. Under the theme 'Africa as a Global Powerhouse: Empowering Minds, Enlightening Paths,' the four-day conference aims to amplify the voices of African lawyers on critical legal matters. Its objectives include promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, safeguarding the independence of judges and the legal profession, and advocating for good govern ance and democracy across the continent. The agenda will cover a range of topics, including the independence of the legal profession, cross-border commercial disputes, the sovereign debt crisis, and other pressing issues affecting legal practice in Africa. Over 300 participants drawn from Africa and other parts of the world including bar associations continental and international advocacy organizations as well as the representatives of African Union and UN agencies are expected to attend the conference. Source: Ethiopian News Agency