President Thabo Mbeki to lead South African Delegation to SADC Summit Gaborone, Botswana, 17-18 August 2005

Tshwane - South African President Thabo Mbeki will today, Tuesday 16 August 2005 depart for Gaborone, Botswana where he will lead the South African delegation, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and several other ministers to the SADC Summit scheduled for Wednesday-Thursday 17-18 August.

South Africa is participating in the Summit within the context of its stated commitment to facilitate and strengthening organs of SADC and promoting the implementation of NEPAD.

The SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, taking place within the context of the 25th Anniversary of the organisation, will receive reports and recommendations from deliberations of the SADC Council of Ministers which took place on Monday-Tuesday 15-16 August 2005 on:

• Review of regional socio-politico and economic situation and focusing on food security
• Challenges facing SADC and proposed priorities for 2005-2006 focusing on:

  (i) poverty alleviation and sustainable development
  (ii) agriculture and food security
  (iii) gender equity
  (iv) HIV and AIDS and other infectious diseases
  (v) And Peace and stability

• NEPAD
• Relations within international co-operating partners including EU and World Bank
• Appointment of Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretary

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

16 August 2005