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Deputy President Jacob Zuma arrived in Havana, Cuba, on Sunday morning, 31 August 2003, to attend the Sixth Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The conference runs from Monday, 1 September, to Wednesday, 3 September 2003.

The South African delegation includes the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mohamed Valli Moosa, and Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

The UNCCD was born form the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Earth Summit) and was adopted on 17 June 1994.

South Africa became signatory to the Convention in January 1995. The Convention was ratified by Parliament on 30 September 1997.

The UNCCD and especially the Sixth Conference of the Parties will be critical for the Convention as well as the millions of people throughout the globe affected by desertification and drought. The conference is important for South African as a large sector of at least 12 million farming activities, and rely heavily on natural resources for parts of their livelihood. This sector is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of desertification and drought.

Enquiries: Lakela Kaunda on cellular number 09537-885-4472.

Issued by the Presidency, South African Operations Room, Havana, Cuba, 31 August 2003
Source: SAPA