Petersburg, Russian Federation for the forthcoming G-8 Summit
14 July 2006
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived today,
Friday, 14 July 2006, in St Petersburg, Russian Federation ahead of President
Thabo Mbeki for the forthcoming Group of Eight (G-8) Summit scheduled from
16-17 July 2006. President Thabo Mbeki will lead the South African (SA)
delegation, which will include Mrs Zanele Mbeki and will be supported by
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Minister of
Trade and Industry, Mr Mandise Mpahlwa.
President Thabo Mbeki, together with the Presidents of India, Brazil,
Mexico, and China have been invited to the G-8 Summit as Strategic Outreach
Partners and will participate in a round table discussion on Monday, 17 July
2006.
President Thabo Mbeki's participation in the G-8 Summit comes within the
context of South Africaâs commitment to promote North-South co-operation in
support of the African agenda through among others the G-8. In addition,
President Mbeki and the Strategic Outreach Partners, convened by the
Chairperson, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, will also hold discussions
ahead of the G-8 Summit as part of preparations for discussions with the G8
leaders.
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) President Denis Sassou Nguesso and
Khazakstan in its capacity as Chair of the Commonwealth of Independent States
has also been invited to participate in the Outreach segment of the Summit.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and representatives
of the various international organisations including the World Bank, United
Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the
International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the
International Energy Agency are also expected to participate in the 2006
Outreach Meeting.
The 2006 G-8 Summit, under Russia's chairpersonship, will for the first time
integrate the African agenda into all G-8 deliberations. In addition, outcomes
of the G-8 Summit will continue to be evaluated for their impact on the African
development agenda and other developing countries.
The 2006 G-8 Outreach Segment is expected to look at:
* international energy security
* education
* infectious diseases
In addition discussions will also focus on:
* international trade
* a presentation on Africa
President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Tuesday, 18 July
2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
14 July 2006
Source: SAPA
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