Minister Dlamini Zuma concludes Visit to the UN Security Council

New York- South African Foreign Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will later today 29 March 2007, conclude her successful visit to the United Nations where she chaired and led the UN Security Council on the relationship between the UN Security Council and regional organizations including the African Union in conflict prevention and management.

The chairing and address to the UN Security Council was the first by a South African Minister since South Africa's assumption of the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council and the country's presidency of the Security Council for the month of March.

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma had chaired and addressed the Security Council within the context of SA's stated commitment to building synergies between the UN Security Council and the AU's Peace and Security Council with a view to the prevention of outbreaks of violence and conflict in the continent of Africa.

In addition, Minister Dlamini Zuma chaired two more sessions of the Security Council namely the lifting of the arms embargo on Rwanda and a resolution welcoming the agreement between President Laurent Gbagbo and the leader of the New Forces in Cote D' Ivoire, Guillaume Sorros.

During the visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma also had an opportunity to interact with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro. This was the first interaction between Minister Dlamini Zuma and Dr. Migiro since the latter's appointment to the post of UN Deputy Secretary-General. Later on Thursday, Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to hold several bilateral discussions.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will return to South Africa over the weekend where she is expected to attend the ANC Women's League's National General Council in Johannesburg.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
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29 March 2007