Following a successful participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) underway in Davos Switzerland, South African President, Jacob G Zuma, will lead the South African delegation to the 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit slated for 31 January 2010 to 2 February 2010 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The South African Government’s participation in the 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit occurs within the context of its stated foreign policy objective of consolidating the African Agenda that seeks to promote peace and security on the continent; strengthen the pursuit of good governance and democracy, deepen regional integration, develop skills and build capacity within the organs of the AU, and advance Africa’s development agenda.
The AU Summit convenes under the theme “Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for the Future” and in this regard the summit will receive a report on Information Communication Technologies (ICT) from the AU Executive Council, underway in Addis Ababa.
In addition the Summit will deliberate on the following key items:
* Election of the Bureau of the AU
* Report of the Chair of the High Level Panel on Darfur
* Nomination of interested parties to the Peace and Security Council
* Report on the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa
* Report of the Commission on the Climate Change Negotiations in the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
* Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on Unconstitutional Changes of Government, and
* Progress report of the Commission on the Abuse of the Principles of Universal Jurisdiction.
In addition, President Jacob Zuma is expected to participate in the following events:
* 22nd Summit of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC), 30 January 2010
* 12th Summit of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government, 30 January 2010
* Committee of Ten Heads of State on the United Nations Reforms, 30 January 2010.
Furthermore, as the mediator in Zimbabwe, President Jacob Zuma is expected to give a report on the latest political developments in Zimbabwe and the outcomes of the Southern African Development Committee (SADC) Summit held in Maputo on Thursday, 7 January 2010.
President Jacob Zuma will be supported by International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda, Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi and senior government officials.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Tuesday, 2 February 2010.
Enquiries:
Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi (Chief Director for Public Diplomacy)
Cell: 082 940 1647
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
29 January 2010
