President Zuma to lead South African delegation to the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 21 - 25 September 2009

Pretoria: President Jacob Zuma, supported by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi and Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Senior Government officials will lead South Africa to the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly ( UNGA) scheduled to take place in New York from 21 - 25 September 2009.

This year's UNGA 64 Session will be held under the Theme " Effective responses to global crises; strengthening multilateralism and dialogue among civilisations for international peace; security and development".

President Jacob Zuma will address the General Assembly on  the 23 September 2009 during the afternoon session. The General Debate of the 64th session presents an opportunity for Heads of States and Governments to interact on global issues that confront the international community.

Accordingly, the South African delegation will, in all its interactions during the 64th UNGA Session , contribute to the following debates:

• Poverty eradication and the Millenium Development Goal
• Global financial and economic crises
• Climate Change
• Reform of international institutions, including the United Nations
• Promotion of the African Agenda including NEPAD
• Promotion of disarmament and nuclear non - proliferation

Both Ministers Sonjica and Nkoana Mashabane will also participate in the Summit on Climate Change on the 22 September 2009.

On the margins of the 64TH UNGA session, President Zuma is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts in an endeavour to garner support on South Africa's positions on a range of issues of international importance and to consolidate cooperation on the multilateral level with other countries.

From New York, President Zuma will proceed to Pittsburgh, Pennysylvania, USA, for the G20 Summit scheduled fro 24 - 25 September 2009.

From Pittsburgh, President Zuma supported by Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane will proceed to Caracas, Venezuela for the Africa - South America scheduled for the 27 - 28 September 2009.

For more information, contact Nomfanelo Kota, Spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on + 27 82 459 3787 or Vincent Magwenya, Presidential Spokesperson at + 27 72 715 0024

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001

21 September 2009