Minister Dlamini Zuma to attend Nordic – Africa Foreign Ministers Meeting

Gaborone – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today Monday 3 March 2008 lead a South African government delegation to the 7th Informal Nordic – Africa Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled from Monday – Tuesday 3-4 March 2008 in Gaborone, Botswana.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will participate in this session of the Nordic – Africa Informal Ministerial Consultations within the context of South Africa’s priority to promote the African developmental agenda through among others, strategic engagement with countries of the North.

It is expected that participants from Africa will include representatives from Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and Zambia while the Nordic delegation will comprise representatives from Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

The main theme of the meeting will be climate change and green technology, including the outcomes of a Nordic – African Task Force meeting held recently in Copenhagen; special concerns of African countries, the vulnerability of African countries to the adverse effects of climate change, the adaptation to climate change, the transfer of climate-friendly technologies, shared challenges and experiences as well as potential for joint initiatives.

Discussions are also expected to include democracy and development, peace and security, small arms and light weapons and the reform of the United Nations.

While in Gaborone, Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to hold bilateral political and economic discussions with the Foreign MInisters of Iceland, Sweden and Botswana.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Tuesday 4 March 2008 ahead of her official visit to Switzerland scheduled from Wednesday 5 – Monday 10 March 2008.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

3 March 2008