Malaysia
30 May 2006
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad who is currently leading a senior South
African government delegation to the Ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned
Movement Co-ordinating Bureau (NAM CoB) in Putrajaya will later today Tuesday
30 May 2006 conclude his visit to Malaysia.
The Ministerial meeting began on Monday, 29 May 2006, and is scheduled to
conclude today, Tuesday, 30 May 2006. While in Malaysia, Deputy Minister Pahad
also chaired the Group of 77 (G-77) and China Special Ministerial Meeting and
led the delegation to the NAM Committee on Palestine meeting and meeting of the
NAM Troika (Malaysia, South Africa and Cuba) and Former Chairs of the
Movement.
Deputy Minister Pahad also held several meetings with heads of various
delegations focusing on the ongoing revitalisation of the Movement, the
comprehensive reform of the United Nations, and the enhanced co-ordination of
the NAM also within the newly established United Nations mechanisms, viz. the
Human Rights Council and the Peace Building Commission.
Ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Co-ordinating Bureau (NAM
CoB)
Ministerial Meetings of the Co-ordinating Bureau of NAM are convened to
prepare for forthcoming summits. In this regard the Putrajaya meeting focused
on preparations for the forthcoming XIV NAM Summit of Heads of State and
Government to be held in Havana, Cuba in September 2006.
Ministerial meetings of the CoB also discuss urgent matters relating to the
international agenda. The Ministers therefore deliberated extensively on the
current debate on United Nations (UN) reform and the role of the NAM in this
respect. The need for solidarity and unity has been emphasised by all and
members were urged to develop ways of enhancing the solidarity of the movement
in particular and South-South co-operation in general.
In the light of the current critical situation in the Middle East Ministers
expressed their deep regret that the Palestinian people continue to suffer. The
Ministers stressed the need for the speedy realisation of the inalienable and
national rights of the Palestinian people to live side-by-side with Israel
within secure borders.
The Ministers further stressed the deepening economic, social and
humanitarian crisis and isolation in the Gaza Strip gravely threaten the
prospects for achieving a negotiated settlement based on the two state
solutions. The Ministers therefore also reiterated their hope that the
international community and the Quartet will exert all efforts to revive the
peace process and to salvage the Roadmap and to promote its implementation.
In a statement on nuclear issues the Ministers reiterated, "The NAM
principled positions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. They
reaffirmed the basic and inalienable right of all states, to develop research,
production, and the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, without any
discrimination and in conformity with their respective legal obligations."
The Ministers also recognised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
as the sole competent authority for verification of the respective safeguards
obligations of member states and stressed that there should be no undue
pressure or interference in the Agency's activities, especially its
verification process, which would jeopardise the efficiency and credibility of
the Agency.
In respect of Iran's nuclear issue, the Ministers welcomed the co-operation
extended by Iran to the IAEA with a view to resolving the remaining issues
while noting at the same time that the process for drawing a conclusion with
regard to the absence of undeclared material and activities in Iran is an
ongoing and time-consuming process. In this regard, the Ministers "encouraged
Iran to urgently continue to co-operate actively and fully with the IAEA within
the agency's mandate to resolve outstanding issues in order to promote
confidence and a peaceful resolution of the issue."
Group of 77 and China
The G-77 and China Ministerial meeting, with the primary focus on
strengthening South-South co-operation in the interests of achieving the
developmental agenda of the South, was chaired by Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad on
Monday, 29 May 2006.
The meeting reviewed developments in the follow-up to the 2005 United Nations
World Summit Outcome in the areas of United Nations System Wide Coherence,
Management and Secretariat Reform, Mandate Review and on providing predictable
financial resources to the United Nations.
In this regard, the meeting stressed that it is increasingly imperative that
the Group 77 and China and the Non-Aligned Movement work together to promote
the interests and developmental agenda of the South through the defence of the
multilateral system; the fight against poverty and underdevelopment; maintain
peace and stability; and restructure the global exercise of economic and
political power.
The G-77 and China reaffirmed that the proposals to reform the United
Nations by Secretary-General Kofi Annan should be meaningful to strengthen the
ability of the organisation to implement its mandates effectively and enable it
to serve the interests of the collective membership. A stronger United Nations
that responds more effectively to our collective needs is in the interests of
the developmental agenda of the South.
The Ministerial meeting of the G-77 and China also urged that further
research into the reform of the United Nations should investigate the factors
hindering the developing countries from achieving the Millennium Development
Goals. In this regard, it is clear that many Sub-Saharan African countries will
not achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
In addition, the meeting reiterated that United Nations should continue to
have a holistic and comprehensive approach towards development addressing areas
such as trade, finance and macro-economic policy. The meeting also urged the
United Nations to mobilise the highest political commitment, and to provide
policy directions and guidance to the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World
Trade Organisation and other relevant organisations and institutions that have
an impact in the development of many countries. Key to promoting good
governance at the international level would be the active voice and effective
participation by developing countries in the international decision-making
processes, in particular the Bretton Woods Institutions, which is central to
promoting the legitimacy, relevance and effectiveness of the international
financial system and international financial institutions.
Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China reiterated its commitment to the
implementation of all the outcomes of all the major United Nations (UN)
conferences and summits, including the 2005 World Summit Outcome and attaches
high importance to the full implementation of commitments, in particular those
in the economic, social and related fields. In this regard the Group expressed
concern at the slow progress in the implementation of the 2005 World Summit
Outcome decisions, in particular those regarding development and the
strengthening of the UN Economic and Social Council.
On management reforms of the United Nations, the meeting stressed the
importance of ensuring that the Secretariat meets the highest standards of
accountability, transparency, integrity and ethical conduct and therefore urged
the Secretary-General as a matter of priority to define accountability,
establish clear accountability mechanisms to the General Assembly, and propose
parameters for the application of accountability and instruments for its
rigorous enforcement.
Official visit to the Peoples Republic of China
Deputy Minister Pahad will depart from Malaysia on Tuesday, 30 May 2006,
ahead of his official visit to China scheduled from Wednesday to Monday, 31 May
to 5 June 2006. Deputy Minister Pahad will visit Beijing and Shanghai.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
30 May 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
