Minister Dlamini Zuma to Join Ban Ki Moon in Addressing the UN First International Day of NOn-Violence, 2 October 2008

New York- South African Foreign Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will later today, Thursday 2 October 2008 join UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon in addressing the UN’s First International Day of Non-Violence, scheduled for UN Headquarters in New York.

The UN’s First International Day of non-violence coincides with Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and commemorates his philosophy of non-violence as a foundation of resolving conflicts, which was developed during his stay in South Africa against the system of apartheid.

In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma and UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon will be joined by the President of the UN General Assembly Father Miguel d’ Escoto Brockmann as well as India’s Minister of External Affairs in addressing the gathering in New York.

This will be the second time Minister Dlamini Zuma is honoured with the invitation to address the gathering on behalf of South Africa, having addressed the inaugural launch alongside Sonja Gandhi in New York in 2007.

During her visit to New York,  Minister Dlamini Zuma represented South Africa in the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, round table discussions on the Millennium Development Goals, signed a framework co-operation agreement with Guinea Bissau and Timor Leste as well as holding a number of bilateral discussions with both her counterparts including some Heads of State and Government represented at the 63 rd Session of the UN General Assembly.

South Africa participated once more in this world assembly inspired, correctly, by the notion that the multilateral system of global governance remains the only hope against challenges facing humanity today at the centre of which remains the struggle against poverty and under-development.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to return to South Africa on Saturday 4 October 2008

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
South African Permanent Mission
New York

2 October 2008.