The Monrovia summit will among other issues, consider concrete measures aimed at strengthening the Union's secretariat.

The leaders will also discuss sub-regional peace and security as well as the looming global food crisis, with the aim of adopting a comprehensive approach to tackle the food crisis.

According to an Executive Mansion release, La Cote d'Ivoire, which recently announced its decision to join the Union, will formally be admitted into the Union.

The current chair of the Union, Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will open today's session with a statement. The leaders of Sierra Leone, Guinea and La Cote d'Ivoire will also deliver statements at the opening ceremony, following which they will retire behind closed doors for deliberations.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma arrived yesterday afternoon for the summit.

Guinean Prime Minister, Lansana Kouyate, arrived Wednesday afternoon at the James Spriggs Payne airfield in Sinkor. Prime Minister Kouyate was received by Vice President Joseph Boakai.

Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo, is being represented by the Head of the Country's Economic Council, Mr. Laurent Dona Fologo.

Today's Mano River Union Summit is the first in Liberia since the ascendancy two years ago of Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President.

The Mano River Union was formed in 1973 to foster economic and regional cooperation between Liberia and Sierra Leone. Guinea joined the Union a few years later and has since remained an active and influential member.