22 April 2007
London: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today
Sunday, 22 April 2007 arrived in London, United Kingdom where she will attend a
Regional Consultative Conference on the African Diaspora scheduled for Monday
to Wednesday, 23 to 25 April 2007.
Regional Consultative Conferences are being held in various regions of the
Diaspora with a view to consolidating preparations for the Summit of the
African Diaspora to be held in South Africa in the first quarter of 2008.
The 2008 Summit aims to
* create sustainable partnerships between the African Diaspora and the
continent through a realisable programme of action
* create sustainable dialogue, partnerships and strengthening Pan-African
Solidarity for a better Africa and its Diaspora
* foster an increase in South-South co-operation.
It is envisaged that the 2008 Summit will deliberate mechanisms toward the
implementation of the following:
* strengthened cultural and information linkages
* strengthened bonds of friendship and affinity between and amongst the peoples
of the continent and its Diaspora
* create a depository of the intellectual capital for the Diaspora
* develop and uplift the peoples of the continent and its Diaspora
* restore the soul, image, dignity, identity and self actualisation of an
African in the world
* foster people to people relations through culture, music, tourism and
sport
* develop mutual assistance and support for each others programmes [e.g. the
New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)]
* build strong inter-state partnerships with the Diaspora through bilateral
relations
* promote strong and active Africa-Diaspora co-operation in the international
fora.
The Regional Conference in London will address important issues that impact
on Africa and the Diaspora in the United Kingdom (UK), such as developing and
sharing skills in education, technology and training, economic and health
co-operation, gender equality, how to combat the scourge of human trafficking
and international affairs, peace and security. It is envisaged that the
outcomes of the discussions in London would also contribute to the Summit
Declaration.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Friday, 27
April 2007.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 April 2007
