Media Statement
22 January 2015
South African Permanent Representative to the United Nations pays a courtesy visit on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
NEW YORK: On Wednesday, 21 January 2015, the South African Permanent Representative to the United Nations and also the Chair of the 134-member Group of 77 and China, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, paid a courtesy call on the United Nations Secretary-General (SG), Mr Ban Ki-moon, to exchange views on the calendar of the United Nations in the year 2015.
Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo informed the Secretary-General that South Africa was in full support of the Secretary-General’s priorities outlined on 08 January 2015 and would, as the Chair of the Group of 77 and China, work closely with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.
On the inter-governmental process on Financing for Development scheduled to commence from 27-29 January 2015 in New York, Ambassador Mamabolo informed the Secretary-General that there was a need for close cooperation between the G77 and China and the SG’s Office, while on the Post-2015 Development Agenda there was a lot of engagement already. Ambassador Mamabolo used the opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his support of the UN South-South Cooperation Office.
Ambassador Mamabolo mentioned that as the Chair of the Group of 77 he would invite the Secretary-General to interact with the broader membership of the Group to discuss issues of mutual concern and of global importance in the near future.
In turn, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “You can count on me and my staff during your chairmanship.” The SG added that the G77 was a very important organisation and its active engagement in UN processes was crucial. The Secretary-General mentioned that the year 2015 would be a critical year as it marks the target date of the MDGs; the negotiations on Climate Change legal instrument; the convening of the Third Conference on Financing for Development would be held; as well as a Summit to adopt the Post-2015 development Agenda. The Secretary-General added that during South Africa’s chairship, a number of multilateral high-level meetings will be organised, such as the World Summit on Information, Disaster Conference in Japan and the Review of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, amongst others.
The Chair of the G77 and the Secretary-General agreed to work together to deepen cooperation between their two Offices.
South Africa assumed the chairship of the Group of 77 and China, the largest negotiating block in the UN system on the 08 January 2015 at a Handover Ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to which International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers led the South Africa delegation.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
|
