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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 – 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