President Thabo Mbeki to Host United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Tshwane - South African President Thabo Mbeki will host United Nations Secretary General Kofi and Mrs. Annan for discussions at Tuynhuys in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday, 14 March 2006. The Secretary-General is expected to arrive in South Africa on Monday 13 March 2006.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan is paying his first official visit to South Africa since his assumption of the reins at the world body, which co-incided with the transition of South Africa from apartheid to peace, democracy and justice in 1994.

The official visit is also taking place within the context of ongoing consultations with Member-states regarding the proposed package of comprehensive reform of the UN including the UN Security Council as well as international financial institutions.

In this regard, President Thabo Mbeki will meet with the UN Secretary-General within the context of South Africa's conviction that the multilateral system of global governance remains our only hope in resolving current challenges facing the international community.

During his visit, the Secretary-General will address the National Assembly, during which he is expected to make a key statement on his tenure as Secretary-General over the past ten years as well as looking ahead at the challenges facing the multilateral system, including the United Nations.

South Africa is indeed honoured to host and to be associated with this eminent and great son of Africa who has played a critical role in shaping global affairs in ongoing efforts to create peace, stability, sustainable development while pushing back the frontiers of poverty and underdevelopment.

We remember fondly that it is during his tenure that the world body endorsed African efforts aimed at the political and economic reconstruction and development of the continent and the adoption of NEPAD.

Secretary-General Annan will also have an opportunity to pay a courtesy call on former President Nelson Mandela, visit the Hector Peterson Memorial in Soweto and engage with organs of civil society while also interacting with local United Nations personnel.

Secretary-General Annan will depart South Africa for Madagascar on Wednesday, 15 March 2006.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001

11 March 2006