Press Release

27 August 2012

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to attend Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will undertake a working visit to Teheran, Iran, to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the XVI Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

The Summit, under the theme, “Lasting Peace through Joint Global Governance”, will take place on 30-31 August 2012. 

At the Summit, Iran will take over from Egypt as Chair of the NAM for the period 2012 to 2015.

It is expected that the Summit will adopt the Final Outcome Document by consensus which will focus on three major areas i.e. global governance issues, including the review of the international situation; regional and sub-regional issues in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; and development, social and human rights issues.

The NAM Committee on Palestine, of which South Africa is a member, will  meet on the margins of the XVI NAM Summit to consider the situation in Palestine and pronounce on the collective NAM support for Palestinian self-determination.  It is expected that the draft Declaration on Solidarity with Palestine will be adopted at the Summit.

Through participation in the NAM, South Africa continues to share similar positions on various issues with other countries of the South and to work with these countries to create political, economic and social convergence for the fight against poverty and under-development.

South Africa remains at the forefront of the activities of organisations of the South such as the NAM, and Group of 77 plus China, and will continue to promote, amongst others, a coherent and integrated implementation of the UN development agenda, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) and other internationally agreed development goals (IDGs).

Partnerships with countries of the South are critical to advancing not only South Africa’s own development needs, but also the African Agenda.

South Africa will also continue to advance the principles underlying South-South cooperation at the XVI NAM Summit.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 082 884 5974

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation

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