Development and Combating Pandemics" conference
26 February 2006
Tshwane - South Africa Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will
depart South Africa for France on Monday, 27 February 2006, to represent South
Africa at the "Innovative Financing for Development and Combating Pandemics
Conference", convened by French President Jacques Chirac scheduled from Tuesday
to Wednesday, 28 February to 1 March 2006 in Paris.
Minister Dlamini Zuma's participation takes place within the context of
North-South co-operation with a view to advancing the developmental agenda of
the South and the consolidation of the African agenda.
In this regard, representatives of over 100 countries straddling the North
and South divide, including India, Brazil, South Africa, Germany, United
Kingdom (UK) and France are expected to attend the conference.
Countries attending the conference signed a Declaration in 2005 to advance
the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Accordingly the conference is aimed at:
* Strengthening the consensus on the need to implement new development
financing mechanisms;
* Enriching ongoing projects focusing on the air ticket solidarity levy
and
* Earmarking revenue from this solidarity levy to the fight against
pandemics.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to return to South Africa on Thursday, 2
March 2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
26 February 2006
Source: SAPA
