Media Alert

21 May 2012

Media programme for the Global African Diaspora Summit

NB: Members of the media who have applied for accreditation to the Global African Diaspora Summit are encouraged to collect their accreditation cards for the Summit from Tuesday, 22 May 2012.

Those attending the Ministerial meeting on 23 May are requested to collect their accreditation cards at the gymnasium of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation from on Tuesday, 22 May 2012.

Those attending only the Summit on 25 May are requested to collect their accreditation cards at the Sandton Library (4th floor).

Both accreditation centres will be open from 08h00 – 18h00 from 22 May 2012. Members of the media are encouraged to collect their as indicated here. 

Programme 

Day 1: Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Event: African Diaspora Ministerial Meeting
Venue: OR Tambo Building, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria
Time: Media to arrive at 08h00

Opening ceremony: Chaired by Mr Nassiru Bako Arifari, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Integration and Franchophone and Beninese Diasporas, Republic of Benin and Chairperson of the Executive Council of the African Union

Order of proceedings

•           Minister Nassiru Bako Arifari announces the commencement of the meeting
•           Welcome remarks by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Republic of South Africa
•           Overview of the status of preparations for the Global African Diaspora Summit by Dr Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
•           Message by Ms Valerie Leslyn Odle, representative of the Executive Secretary of the CARICOM
•           Message by a representative of the Pan-African Parliament
•           Opening statement by Minister Nassiru Bako Arifari
•           Tea break (11h40 – 12h10)
•           Media briefing by Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister Nassiru Bako Arifari, Dr Jean Ping  and Ms Valerie Leslyn Odle (14h00)

Day 2: Thursday, 24 May 2012

Event: Arrival of heads of state and government, gala dinner 
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton
Time: Members of the media to arrive at 15h00

•           Photo opportunity: President Zuma receives heads of state and government (18h30 for 19h00)
•           Gala dinner hosted by President Zuma (19h30)
•           (Present at the dinner, all guests invited to the Summit)

Day 3: Friday, 25 May 2012

Event: Global African Diaspora Summit
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton
Time: Members of the media to arrive at 07h00

Opening ceremony of the Global African Diaspora Summit (09h30 for 10h00), chaired by President Boni Yayi, President of Benin and Chairperson of the African Union

Order of proceedings

•           President Boni Yayi announces the commencement of the Summit
•           AU Anthem is played
•           Welcome remarks by President Zuma
•           Remarks by Dr Ping
•           Remarks by an Eminent Person representing the African Diaspora
•           Remarks CARICOM representative
•           Remarks by Mr Esteban Lazo, Vice President of the Republic of Cuba
•           Opening remarks by President Boni Yayi
•           Tea break (11h00 – 11h30)
•           Closed session

Closing ceremony of the Global African Diaspora Summit (15h00)

Order of proceedings

•           Closing remarks by President Zuma
•           Closing remarks by President Boni Yayi
•           Vote of thanks
•           Media briefing (15h45)

Media Enquiries: Mr Nelson Kgwete, 076 431 3078

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION