Minister Dlamini Zuma to Depart for UN General Assembly

Tshwane - South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Friday 9 September depart South Africa for New York ahead of President Thabo Mbeki to attend the Review Summit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled for Wednesday - Friday, 14-16 September and Saturday - Wednesday 17-28 September respectively.

During her visit to New York, Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to participate in Ministerial negotiations aimed at finalising the Draft Outcomes document to be considered by Heads of State and Government at the High Level Review Summit of the MDG.

In this regard, Heads of State and Government will, at the High Level Review Summit, consider progress toward the millennium development goals as outlined in the Millennium Summit of 2000. These goals include halving extreme poverty, reducing infant mortality by two-thirds and achieving universal primary education by 2015.

The Summit will also consider a package or recommendations, to be finalised by Foreign Ministers, on the comprehensive reform of the United Nations including the UN Security Council and international finance institutions.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, requested, a group of 32 countries including South Africa to look into different aspects of the reform package with the objective of facilitating speedy negotiations and outcomes in time for consideration by the Heads of State and Government during the UN Summit.

The UN Summit marking the 60th anniversary of the UN is expected to draw the largest number of Heads of State and Government ever. President Thabo Mbeki is expected to depart for New York on Monday 12 September 2005.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

8 September 2005