Delegates take group photo after the 35th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives' Committee on Jan. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Heads of states of more than 40 African nations and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend the 30th AU summit, an Ethiopian official said Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists, Workneh Gebeyehu, Ethiopian foreign minister, said the leaders are expected to discuss political and security matters affecting African countries and reforming the 54-year-old continental body.

The 30th AU summit kicked off Monday in Ethiopia's Addis Ababa under the theme "Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation." The biannual summit will last until Jan. 29.

The AU has declared 2018 as Africa's anti-corruption year.