Kofi Annan
10 March 2006
South African President Thabo Mbeki will host United Nations (UN)
Secretary-General Kofi and Mrs Annan for discussions at Tuynhuys in Cape Town
on Tuesday, 14 March 2006. The Secretary-General is expected to arrive in South
Africa on Monday, 13 March 2006.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan is paying his first official visit to South
Africa since his assumption of the reins at the world body, which coincided
with the transition of South Africa from apartheid to peace, democracy and
justice in 1994.
The official visit is also taking place within the context of ongoing
consultations with Member States regarding the proposed package of
comprehensive reform of the UN including the UN Security Council as well as
international finance institutions.
In this regard, President Thabo Mbeki will meet with the UN
Secretary-General within the context of South Africa's conviction that the
multilateral system of global governance remains our only hope in resolving
current challenges facing the international community.
During his visit, the Secretary-General will address the National Assembly,
during, which he is expected to make a key statement on his tenure as
Secretary-General over the past 10 years as well as looking ahead at the
challenges facing the multilateral system, including the United Nations.
South Africa is indeed honoured to host and to be associated with this
eminent and great son of Africa who has played a critical role in shaping
global affairs in ongoing efforts to create peace, stability, sustainable
development while pushing back the frontiers of poverty and
underdevelopment.
We remember fondly that it is during his tenure that the world body endorsed
African efforts aimed at the political and economic reconstruction and
development of the continent with the adoption of New Partnership for Africaâs
Development (NEPAD).
Secretary General Annan will also have an opportunity to pay a courtesy call
on former President Nelson Mandela, visit the Hector Petersen memorial in
Soweto and engage with organs of civil society while also interacting with
local UN personnel.
Secretary General Annan will depart South Africa for Madagascar on 15 March
2006.
Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
10 March 2006
Source: SAPA
