Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to Participate in the Launch of a PAN African Infrastructure Development Fund in Accra Ghana 1 July 2007

Accra- The South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma who arrived in Accra, Republic of Ghana on Thursday 29 June 2007 to attend the 9th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government (1-3 July 2007), will on Sunday, 1 July 2007 participate in the launch of a Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF).

The PAIDF, which will be officially launched by the Ghanaian President, current Chairperson of the African Union(AU), H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor and the South African President Thabo Mbeki, has so far mobilized close to $625 million that will be used to finance continental projects under the AU development flagship programme, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

South Africa and Ghana have made firm commitments to the PAIDF and other African governments have expressed interest in making contributions pending legislation from their individual parliaments, allowing them to make the necessary payments.

The South African government has also mobilized the private sector to partner the continental effort of ensuring that African countries take ownership of their developmental initiatives and squaring up to challenges facing the continent.

In this regard, the South African business community, particularly the insurance and financial institutions have also contributed handsomely to the Fund.

In a related development, Minister Dlamini Zuma, subsequent to the launch of the PAIDF will provide support to President Thabo Mbeki during the AU Heads of State and Government Summit, which will deliberate on the feasibility of an AU Union Government (1-3 July 2007).

Contact : Vincent Hlongwane -+27 82 385 1169
Accra, Ghana

Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa- +27 82 990 48 53
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
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