The OAU initiatives paved the way for the birth of AU. In July 1999, the Assembly decided to convene an   extraordinary session to expedite the process of economic and political integration in the continent. Since   then, four Summits have been held leading to the official launching of the African Union : The Sirte Extraordinary Session (1999) decided to establish an African Union. The Lome Summit (2000) adopted the Constitutive Act of the Union. The Lusaka Summit (2001) drew the road map for the implementation of the AU. The Durban Summit (2002) launched the AU and convened the 1st Assembly of the Heads of States of the African   Union.