Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon
14 October 2006
Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki, today, Saturday, 14 October 2006, joined
the international community in conveying the warm congratulations of the
government and people of South Africa to Mr Ban Ki-Moon, Foreign Minister of
the Republic of Korea, on his election as United Nations Secretary-General
designate.
President Mbeki said that South Africa looked forward to working with Mr Ban
Ki-Moon in the pursuance of the noble objectives of the UN. President Mbeki
noted that his election came at a time when the peoples of the world held high
expectations of the UN. Accordingly, the people of the world expected a strong
and reformed UN that was better able to deliver on its mandate. They expected
the UN to continue to be the conscience of the world on the most pressing
issues, including poverty, underdevelopment, conflict resolution and peace
building.
President Mbeki expressed the hope that Mr Ban Ki-Moon would continue
working with leaders of Africa in their quest for the renewal of the continent,
the consolidation of the African Agenda and indeed the developmental agenda of
the south in general. President Mbeki expressed the conviction that the
governments and people of the world would provide the necessary support to the
UN Secretary-General designate as he embarked on this daunting, yet, important
challenge.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
14 October 2006
