South Africa Accepts the Nomination as Chair of the Group of 77 and China for the Year 2006

NEW YORK, 22 SEPTEMBER 2005 - South Africa, today, accepted the nomination as Chair of the Group of 77 and China for the year 2006.

Speaking at the 29th Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77, the Permanent Representative of South Africa, Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo accepted South Africa's nomination for the year 2006 and thanked, Jamaica, the current Chair of the G77 and China for promoting the positions of developing countries in the 2005 High Level Summit negotiations.

Ambassador Kumalo stated that, as Chair, South Africa will continue to "spare no effort to actively pursue the needs and aspiration of developing countries to ensure that we harness the opportunities for developing countries and enhance the momentum arising out of the 2005 High Level Summit. South Africa will continue to reiterate the importance of maintaining a balanced approach in addressing security and development. The success in taking development forward will depend not only on political support but also in making certain that there are adequate and reliable resources for addressing the permanent threat posed by underdevelopment".

Ambassador Kumalo concluded that "South Africa looks forward to carrying out the mandate of the Group of 77 and China and to express and defend the collective positions of the Member States so as to enable the Group of 77 and China to achieve its development objectives and to create a better life for all".

For more information, please contact Zaheer Laher at (212) 692 2460

Issued by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations