Heads of State and Government Summit
15 August 2006
Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Foreign
Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will lead a senior South African government
delegation to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State
and Government Summit in Maseru, Lesotho scheduled from Thursday - Friday, 17 -
18 August 2006.
President Mbekiâs participation in the SADC Heads of State and Government
Summit comes within the context of South Africaâs commitment to consolidate the
African agenda through among others South Africaâs participation and
strengthening SADC institutions.
Minister Dlamini Zuma early this week led a senior South African government
delegation to the Council of Ministers meeting from Tuesday - Wednesday, 15-16
August 2006.
Summit is expected to deliberate on the following issues:
* 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 Minister Dlamini Zuma are expected to return to South
Africa on Friday, 18 August 2006.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4863
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
15 August 2006
