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President Thabo Mbeki to Hold Discussions
with United Nations Secretary-General During World Food
Summit, Rome, 10-13 June 2002
President and Mrs Thabo Mbeki and the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will arrive in Rome,
today, Sunday 9th June 2002 ahead of the World Food
Summit and the NEPAD Implementation Committee Meeting
from 10-13 June 2002.
The President's delegation includes the Minister of
Land Affairs and Agriculture, Thoko Didiza and the President's
Economic Advisor Prof. Wiseman Nkhuhlu.
The Summit will be addressed by President Ciampi of
Italy; Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi
Annan; Prime Minister Bellusconi of Italy; Chairman
of the FAO Council, Ambassador A Nekouar; and Chairman
of the FAO Committee on Security, Col Rossi.
President Mbeki will deliver a keynote address to delegates
at the Food Summit on Monday, 10th June 2002.
The Summit will focus on reviewing advances made since
the 1996 World Food Summit; outlining measures that
leaders now envisage to reach the 1996 targets as well
as the mobilisation of the requisite political will
and resources to move forward at an accelerated pace
to achieve the 1996 targets.
South Africa, among others, is expected to:
· report on the progress made in respect of
the1996 World Summit plan of action
· project NEPAD as a framework to alleviate,
among others, food security in Africa
· together with the SADC countries, provide an
assessment and a way forward out of the current food
situation in the region.
During the Summit, President Mbeki will have an opportunity
to hold bilateral discussions with United Nations Secretary-General,
Kofi Annan and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr M
Zenawi.
On Tuesday, the President will interact with other
heads of state from the five OAU regions at the NEPAD
Implementation Committee Meeting chaired by President
Olusegun Obasanjo, in preparation for the forthcoming
G8 meeting scheduled for Canada on 27 June.
The NEPAD Implementation Committee Meeting will be
attended by Heads of State from South Africa, Botswana,
Mozambique, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal,
Mali, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Egypt, Algeria,
Tunisia and Zambia.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at +
27 -82- 990- 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
9 June 2002
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