Minister Dlamini Zuma to Open SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg, Wednesday, 27 July 2005.

Johannesburg - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will tomorrow Wednesday 27 July 2005, open the Ministerial meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to arrive from London tomorrow Wednesday, 27 July 2005 where she participated in African Union (AU) - G4 (India, Brazil, Japan and Germany) Ministerial negotiations on the veto for new permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and an extra non-permanent seat for Africa.

The Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation aims to promote peace and security in Southern Africa. In this regard, South Africa, as Chair of the Organ, was mandated by the Heads of State and Government at the 2004 SADC Summit hosted by Mauritius to coordinate all activities of the Organ with the view to enhancing good governance, democracy, stability and socio-economic development of the Southern African region.

In addition to discussing the regional political and economic situation and reviewing and assessing the status of peacekeeping and conflict resolution in the region, the Ministerial Committee is expected to receive reports from the Interstate Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC) and the Interstate Politics and Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC).

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
26 July 2005