meeting ahead of the AU Summit
25 June 2006
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will depart on
Sunday, 25 June 2006, for Banjul, Gambia, where she will lead a South African
delegation to the ninth Ordinary Session of the African Union Ministers
scheduled from Wednesday to Thursday, 28 to 29 June 2006, ahead of the Summit
of the AU Heads of State and Government scheduled from Saturday to Sunday, 1 to
2 July 2006.
South Africa's participation in the African Union Ministerial and Heads of
State meetings comes within the context of South Africa's commitment to
consolidate the African development agenda, through among others, the
strengthening of institutions of the African Union.
Issues on the agenda of discussions are expected to include, among others
are reports of the:
* Ministerial meeting on the Draft African Charter on Democracy, Elections and
Governance and on the Review of the 2000 Lome Declaration on Unconstitutional
Changes of Government in Africa.
* Reports on Information Communication Technology (ICT); Youth, electric power,
rail and air transport.
* Report of Ministers of Information and Communication on the establishment of
the Pan-African radio and television channel.
* Report on the Strategic Framework for Migration Policy for Africa;
* Rationalisation of Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
* African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
* Integration of African in Multilateral Trade: World Trade Organisation
Negotiations and Economic Partnership Agreements with the European Union.
* Establishment of an African Commodities Exchange.
* Aid for trade.
* As well as the post-conflict reconstruction and development and the situation
in the Middle East.
President Thabo Mbeki is expected to arrive in The Gambia on Friday, 30 June
2006 ahead of the Summit scheduled for Saturday to Sunday, 1 to 2 July
2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
25 June 2006
Source: SAPA
