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Minister of Foreign Affairs arrives in St Petersburg ahead of
the Group of Eight Meeting ST PETERSBURG - South African Foreign Minister
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived today, Friday 14 July 2006 in St Petersburg,
Russian Federation ahead of President Thabo Mbeki for the forthcoming G8 Summit
scheduled from 16-17 July 2006. President Thabo Mbeki will lead the SA delegation,
which will include Mrs Zanele Mbeki and will be supported by Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr
Mandise Mpahlwa. President Thabo Mbeki, together with the Presidents of
India, Brazil, Mexico, and China have been invited to the G-8 Summit as Strategic
Outreach Partners and will participate in a round table discussion on Monday,
17 July 2006. President Thabo Mbeki's participation in the G-8 Summit comes
within the context of South Africa's commitment to promote North-South co-operation
in support of the African Agenda through, among others, the G-8. In addition,
President Mbeki and the Strategic Outreach Partners, convened by the Chairperson,
Brazilian President Lula da Silva, will also hold discussions ahead of the G-8
Summit as part of preparations for discussions with the G8 leaders. The
Chairperson of the African Union President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Khazakstan
in its capacity as Chair of the Commonwealth of Independent States have also been
invited to participate in the Outreach segment of the Summit. The Secretary-General
of the United Nations Kofi Annan and representatives of the various international
organizations including the World Bank, UNESCO, the International Atomic Energy
Agency, the World Health Organization and the International Energy Agency are
also expected to participate in the 2006 Outreach Meeting. The 2006 G-8
Summit, under Russia's chairpersonship, will for the first time integrate the
African agenda into all G-8 deliberations. In addition, outcomes of the G-8 Summit
will continue to be evaluated for their impact on the African development agenda
and other developing countries. The 2006 G-8 Outreach Segment is expected
to look at: - International Energy Security;
- Education; and
- Infectious
diseases.
In addition discussions will also focus on: - International
trade; and
- A presentation on Africa.
President Mbeki is expected
to return to South Africa on Tuesday, 18 July 2006. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 14
July 2006
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