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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will depart South Africa today, Thursday, 8 November for New York, USA, ahead of 56th Annual Session of the UN General Assembly scheduled for 10-16 November 2001. The Minister will be part of the South African government delegation that will be led by President Thabo Mbeki.

The General Debate of the 56th Session, originally scheduled to commence on 24 September 2001, was postponed for 10 to 16 November 2001 as a result of the terrorist attacks on several cities of the USA.

The General Debate is one of the most important fora available to Heads of State and Government to state their priorities and policies on issues of global, international, regional and national significance. It could be expected that the global fight against international terrorism will receive particular attention during the General Debate. At the same time, issues of importance to South Africa and Africa, as contained in the New Partnership for Africa's Development, should remain high on the global agenda and need to be emphasised.

President Mbeki will address the UN General Assembly on Saturday, 10 November 2001, as the third speaker during the opening session of the General Debate. Brazil is traditionally the first speaker, followed by the United States of America as host country to the United Nations. President Mbeki will address the UN General Assembly also in his capacity as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year.

From this prominent speaking slot the President will be able to reiterate South Africa's principled position on international terrorism and the country's continued co-operation in the efforts of the United Nations and the international community to eradicate this scourge. In addition, concerted efforts are also needed to resolve conflicts in all parts of the globe, including the search for lasting peace in the Middle East, as well as a joint commitment throughout the world to eradicate poverty and under-development.

In pursuit of national priorities and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the President will focus on the promotion of poverty eradication and development, security, stability and multilateral co-operation. The key objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development bear a close similarity to those of the UN Millennium Declaration adopted by Heads of State and Government during the 55th Session of the General Assembly in September 2000. Of specific importance to Africa is the section in the Declaration addressing the special needs of the Continent. In Chapter VII of the declaration the world leaders declared that they "will support the consolidation of democracy in Africa and assist Africans in their struggle for lasting peace, poverty eradication and sustainable development, thereby bringing Africa into the mainstream of the world economy ".

Minister Dlamini Zuma will chair the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on 14 November 2001, and will also represent the Movement at the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 and China (G77), where issues of economic importance to the developing world will be discussed. The Minister will further participate in meetings of the NAM Troika with, amongst others, the European Union Troika and the Chair of the Group of Eight Industrialised Countries (G8).

President Mbeki and Minister Dlamini Zuma will avail themselves of the opportunity presented by the General Debate of the 56th Session of the UN General Assembly to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and international importance with a number of their counterparts.

For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs

8 November 2001