Assembly (UNGA), Tuesday 19 September, in New York
18 September 2006
New York- South African President Thabo Mbeki will join other world leaders
in addressing the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled
for New York, USA on Tuesday 19 September 2006 (17h45 SA time).
President Mbeki is currently leading a South African government delegation
including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Foreign
Affairs Deputy Director-General George Nene and South Africa's Permanent
Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo to the
UNGA.
President Mbeki is participating in this year's session of the UNGA within
the context of South Africa's conviction that the multilateral system of global
governance remains the only hope in addressing challenges facing humanity,
including efforts aimed at pushing back the frontiers of poverty and
under-development as well as addressing the issue of exercising power
globally.
Following his address to the UNGA, President Mbeki is expected later on
Tuesday to hold several bilateral discussions with:
* Xavier Solana Secretary General of the European Union (EU)
* Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
* receive a courtesy call from Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma was later
today, Monday 18 September expected to hold bilateral discussions with:
* Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massiml DâAlema
* World Food Programme Deputy Executive Secretary Sheila Sisulu
* attend the joint India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) meeting with China and
Mexico hosted by Mexico
* and attend a follow -up meeting of the IBSA Foreign Ministers following the
recent inaugural session of the IBSA Heads of State and Government held in
Brasilia last week.
The bilateral consultations are part of a series that the South African
delegation, led by President Mbeki, will be holding throughout the 61st session
of the UNGA in New York.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
18 September 2006
