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President Mbeki to Participate in 59th
Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New
York 20 - 22 September 2004
President Thabo Mbeki, accompanied by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs - Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma - will
lead the South African delegation to the 59th session
of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New
York, USA, from Monday, 20 to Wednesday, 22 September
2004.
President Mbeki is scheduled to address the General
Debate of UNGA on Wednesday, 22 September 2004. The
annual General debate of the UNGA is one of the most
important fora available to Heads of State and Government
to address issues of international, regional and national
significance. Jean Ping, the Minister of State and Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and la Francophonie
of Gabon, was elected as President of the 59th session
of the UNGA.
South Africa will serve as Vice-Chair of the Budgetary
and Administrative (fifth) Committee of the General
Assembly. This follows on South Africa being Vice-Chair
of the Economic and Financial (Second) Committee during
the UNGA58, and Chair of the Special and Decolonisation
(Fourth ) Committee during UNGA57.
UNGA59 will take place against the backdrop of events
that have over the past two years concerned Member States
particularly the war in Iraq and the Middle East crisis
as well as calls for reform of the UN.
A further catalyst in this context has been the UN Secretary-General's
appointment of the High -level Panel on Treats, Challenges
and Change and the expected submission of its report
to the Secretary-General in December 2004.
The recommendations of the Panel are expected to contain
proposals on the expansion and reform of the UNSC. In
the run-up to UN59 there appears to be a marked increase
op political will at the highest levels of Government
to address the reform and enlargement of the UN Security
Council.
It could therefore be expected that the reform of the
UN Security Council will be one of the main issues to
be addressed in the general debate, as well as in formal
and informal discussions on the fringes of UNGA59.
The work of UNGA59 is further expected to be influenced
by the continuing instability inn Iraq. The adoption
on 8 June 2004 of UNSC resolution 1546 on the transfer
of sovereignty to the Iraqi interim Government was a
step in the right direction. As a result, the importance
of reinforcing the multilateral system remains a priority
and is expected top receive detailed attention during
UNGA59.
These efforts were already given some impetus by the
Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice
on the Israeli separation wall and the overwhelming
acknowledgement of the Opinion by the UN membership,
which represents a concrete effort to reinforce multilateralism
and global governance by once again placing international;
law, including human rights and international humanitarian
law at the forefront of international relations. This
also includes a growing focus on the work of the International
Criminal Court (ICC).
The most significant initiative undertaken by the UN
in recent years for the socio-economic development of
the South. and specifically Africa, was the adoption
of the Millenium Declaration at the Millennium Assembly
in 2000. This declaration committed the Heads of State
of all UN Member States to realising a number of Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. While in global terms
there is a good possibility that the MDGs could be attained,
many developing countries are making slow progress towards
this goal. The High Level Review Conference on the implementation
of the MDGs, scheduled for UNGA60 in 2005, is expected
to feature significantly in the work of UNGA59.
The promotion of the African Union and NEPAD during
UNGA59 will be of particular importance in support of
poverty eradication as well as the promotion of peace
and security on the Continent. It is important that
support already allocated to NEPAD by the UN system,
is further concretized and where possible increased.
The relationship between the UN and the AU also needs
to be strengthened and further developed during UNGA59.
The global campaign against terrorism remains a predominant
issue in the international arena especially in view
of the continuing attacks throughout the world.
The goal of ensuring peace and stability in Africa
remains a high priority for the Government. The South
African delegation to UNGA59 would therefore utilize
the opportunity to further this goal.
The South African delegation to UNGA59 would further
pursue Government priorities and policies inter alia
on the following issues:
- Reinforce the role of multilaterism and challenge
the unilateral and protectionist approach exercised
by some developed countries;
- Support efforts to reform the UN Security Council
and General Assembly;
- Promote the attainment of the Millennium Summit
Development Goals;
- Maximum support for NEPAD by and within the UN system;
- Promote Financing and Development and the implementation
of the Monterray consensus;
- Support the expansion of debt relief;
- Support the combating of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,
malaria and other communicable diseases;
- Promote the central role of the UN in combating
terrorism and the conclusion of the Comprehensive
Convention Against Terrorism;
- Promote arms control and disarmament in the context
of conventional arms, including small arms, and weapons
of mass destruction;
- Address the treat of crime to security and stability;
- Promote a greater and more relevant role for the
UN in the post reconstruction and development of Iraq;
- Promote human rights, including the rights of women
and children;
- Pursue environmental priorities;
- Support efforts to increase funding from donor countries
for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief;
- Promote the bridging of the digital divide, particularly
in the context of the World Summit on the Information
Society (WSIS); and,
- Support the work of the International Criminal Court.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
001
18 September 2004.
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