President Mbeki congratulates new United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon

Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki, today, Saturday 14 October 2006, joined the international community in conveying the warm congratulations of the government and people of South Africa to Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, on his election as United Nations (UN) Secretary General designate.

President Mbeki said that South Africa looked forward to working with Mr Ban Ki-Moon in the pursuance of the noble objectives of the UN. President Mbeki noted that his election came at a time when the peoples of the world held high expectations of the UN. Accordingly, the people of the world expected a strong and reformed UN that was better able to deliver on its mandate. They expected the UN to continue to be the conscience of the world on the most pressing issues, including poverty, underdevelopment, conflict resolution and peace building.

President Mbeki expressed the hope that Mr Ban Ki-Moon would continue working with leaders of Africa in their quest for the renewal of the continent, the consolidation of the African Agenda and indeed the developmental agenda of the south in general. President Mbeki expressed the conviction that the governments and people of the world would provide the necessary support to the UN Secretary General designate as he embarked on the daunting, yet, important challenge.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082-990-4853
c/o Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
14 October 2006