African Development Community (SADC) Summit
18 August 2006
Maseru - President Thabo Mbeki will later today conclude his visit to
Lesotho, where he led a high-powered government delegation to the SADC Heads of
State and Government Summit held in Maseru from Thursday-Friday, 17-18 August
2006. President Mbekiâs delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel, Minister of Trade
and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa, Minister of Agriculture Lulu Xingwana and senior
government officials
South Africaâs participation in the SADC Heads of State and Government
Summit comes within the context of its stated commitment to consolidate the
African agenda through among others the strengthening of SADC institutions.
Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma had earlier in the week led a South African
Ministerial delegation to the SADC Council of Ministers meeting from Tuesday -
Wednesday, 15-16 August 2006, to prepare for the SADC Heads of State and
Government Summit. The SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government was
expected to discuss among others:
* elections in the region particularly the post-election situation in the
Democratic Republic of Congo
* the implementation of the SADC integration agenda
* progress on the financing, design and construction of the new SADC
Headquarters
* review the regional situation with regard to:
- economic and social situation
- agriculture and food security
- gender
- HIV and AIDS
* the African Union including the implementation of the New Partnership for
Africaâs Development (NEPAD) and a progress report on the attainment of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
* preparations for the International Conference on Poverty Alleviation
* receive reports from the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Co-operation.
President Mbeki and his delegation are expected to return to South Africa on
Friday, 18 August 2006.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4863
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
18 August 2006
