United Nation (UN) Durban Review Conference on behalf of the African Group, in
Geneva, Switzerland
20 April 2009
Geneva: South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will
today, Monday, 20 April 2009, deliver a statement on behalf of the African
Group during the High â Level segment of the UN Durban Review Conference in
Geneva, Switzerland. The conference is scheduled from today 20 to 24 April
2009.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is leading the South African government delegation
including South Africa's Ambassador to Geneva Dr Glaudine Mtshali, Xolisa
Mabhongo as well as senior government officials from the Presidency and the
Department of Justice (DoJ), to the United Nation's (UNs) Durban Review
Conference, within the context of South Africa's conviction that the
multilateral system of global governance remains the hope in tackling
challenges facing humanity today.
The UN Durban Review Conference is convening under the theme "United against
Racism, Dignity and Justice for all." The conference is convened with a view
to:
* review progress and assess the implementation of the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action (DPPA)
* provide an opportunity to assess and accelerate progress on implementation
of measures adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban
(WCAR)
* identify gaps on implementation of the DPPA
* enable governments and civil society to share and benefit from good
practices
* provide an opportunity to outline concrete ways to make a difference on
the ground
The Durban Review Conference is also a vital step in reaffirming not only
that racism exists in all countries, but that it is the responsibility of all
governments and societies to address it.
South Africa attaches great importance to the Durban Review Conference as it
seeks to help the international community recommit to practical measures to
address the scourge of racism and racial discrimination.
While progress has been made in some areas to implement the outcome of the
2001 World Conference against Racism, Xenophobia and Related Intolerances
(WCAR), the international community still faces major challenges in the fight
against racism. Amongst others, there has been disturbing incidents of racism
and racial intolerance in many countries.
It is for this reason that the UN Durban Review Conference is expected to
stress the need for the international community to exercise the necessary and
continued vigilance in pursuit of the noble ideas that were agreed to during
the WCAR.
For more information contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 April 2009
