President Thabo Mbeki to hold Bilateral Discussions with a Number of African Leaders in Japan

YOKOHAMA- South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Thursday 29 May hold bilateral discussions with several African leaders on the margins of the 4th Session of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development currently underway in Yokohama, Japan.

President Mbeki, supported by Ministers Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Marthinus van Schalkwyk is attending the 4th Session of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development within the context of advancing South Africa’s national interests within the framework of consolidating the African Agenda.

In this regard, President Mbeki addressed the Conference, today, Wednesday 28 May, on the issue of Boosting Economic Growth, one of the four sub-themes of the Conference which includes Ensuring human Security (Achieving Millennium Development Goals) Consolidation of Peace and Good Governance as well as Addressing Environmental issues/Climate Change.

During his visit to Japan, President Mbeki has acceded to requests for bilateral discussions with:

• President of Rwanda-Paul Kagame
• President of Sudan-Omar Elbashir
• Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
• Japanese Chairperson of Sojitz-Mr. Dobashi
• President of JICA-Madame Ogata
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees-Antonio Guterres

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will now hold bilateral discussions with:

• Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration-Brunson McKinely
• UN Deputy Secretary-General-Dr. Asha Rose Migiro
• Foreign Minister of Comoros-

President Thabo Mbeki will return to South Africa later on Thursday 29 May 2008.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

28 May 2008.