|
President Thabo Mbeki concludes visit to Lesotho for the SADC
Summit Maseru - President Thabo Mbeki will later today, Friday 18 August
2006, conclude his visit to Lesotho, where he led a high-powered government delegation
to the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit held in Maseru from Thursday-Friday
17-18 August 2006. President Mbeki's delegation included Minister of Foreign
Affairs Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel, Minister
of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa, Minister of Agriculture Lulu Xingwana and
senior government officials South Africa's participation in the SADC Heads
of State and Government Summit comes within the context of its stated commitment
to consolidate the African agenda through among others the strengthening of SADC
institutions. Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma had earlier in the week led
a South African Ministerial delegation to the SADC Council of Ministers meeting
from Tuesday - Wednesday, 15-16 August 2006 to prepare for the SADC Heads of State
and Government Summit. The SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government
was expected to discuss among others:
· Elections in the region particularly
the post-election situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo;
· The
implementation of the SADC integration agenda;
· Progress on the Financing,
Design and Construction of the new SADC Headquarters;
· Review the regional
situation with regard to:
· Economic and Social situation;
·
Agriculture and Food Security;
· Gender;
· HIV and Aids;
·
The African Union including the implementation of NEPAD and a progress report
on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
· Preparations
for the International Conference on Poverty Alleviation; and
· Receive
reports from the:
· Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Co-operation. President Mbeki and his delegation are expected
to return to South Africa on Friday, 18 August 2006. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa
on 082 990 4863 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 18
August 2006
| 
