President Thabo Mbeki to Depart for New York

Tshwane - South African President Thabo Mbeki will today Monday 12 September 2005, depart South Africa for New York ahead of the Review Summit of the Millenium 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 2005 respectively.

The Presidential delegation includes Mrs Zanele Mbeki and Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

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 of recommendations 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.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
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12 September 2005