South African Deputy Foreign Minister Fatima Hajaig will on Thursday 4 December 2008, as Chair of SADC, present a keynote address at the opening session of the SADC Regional Stakeholders Conference being hosted by the NEPAD Secretariat.

 Background

During the OAU Summit in Lusaka in July 2001, African Heads of State and Government emphasised the need for Africa to take urgent and effective steps to avoid the marginalisation of the Continent.  Heads of State and Government wanted to ensure that Africa becomes an active partner in the emerging world economic order.

To this end, the Summit adopted the New African Initiative (thereafter referred to as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development), as the socio-economic development programme of the AU aimed at regenerating and reviving the African continent.   As such, NEPAD serves as a programme of the African Union that constitutes a philosophical framework, a vision and mission for Africa, the principles and values of which are an integral part of the Union.

NEPAD aims to achieve poverty eradication; sustainable socio-economic development and growth; regional and continental integration; and gender mainstreaming. 

The Regional Stakeholders Conference will review progress of the NEPAD projects currently underway and the way forward.

Media are invited to the opening plenary of the Conference as follows:

Order of Proceedings for opening plenary

• Welcome, Introductions and Purpose of Meeting
• Remarks by Representative of Flemish Government
• Statement by:  Dr. Hesphina Rukato: Deputy CEO, NEPAD Secretariat
• Opening Speech by the Guest of Honour: Deputy Foreign Minister Fatima Hajaig Chair of SADC

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

3 December 2008