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Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane will tomorrow, Friday, 18 September 2009 depart South Africa for New York ahead of President Zuma's participation at the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled to take place in New from 21 -25 September 2009. International Relations and Cooperation Director - General, Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba as well as the Deputy Director- General, Multilateral, Ambassador George Nene, will support Minister Nkoana Mashabane in preparing the ground for the arrival of President Zuma.

Upon arrival in New York, Minister Nkoana Mashabane will engage in several bilateral meetings on the margins of the General Assembly aimed at strengthening South Africa's relations with a number of countries which will be participating at the 64th session.

President and Mrs Zuma will arrive in New York on Tuesday, 22 September 2009 ahead of the General Debate of UNGA64 and is scheduled to address the General Debate of the UNGA on 23 September 2009 during the afternoon session. The General Debate of the 64th Session of UNGA which will run from 23 September to 2 October 2009, presents an opportunity for Heads of States and Governments to interact on global issues that confront the international community.

An overarching strategic approach has therefore been developed to ensure that South Africa's foreign policy objectives and positions are promoted in an integrated and coherent manner. Accordingly the South African delegation will, in all its interactions during the 64th UNGA Session, contribute to the following debates:

- Poverty eradication and the Millennium Development Goals;
- Global financial and economic crisis;
- Climate Change;
- Reform of international institutions, including the United Nations;
- Promotion of the African Agenda including NEPAD; and
- Promotion of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation

President Jacob Zuma will also participate in the Summit on Climate Change on 22 September 2009, convened by the United Nations' Secretary General, Mr Ban Kin Moon, ahead of the 64th Session of UNGA.

On the margins of the 64th UNGA Session President Zuma is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts in an endeavour to garner support on South Africa's positions on a range of issues of international importance and to consolidate cooperation on the multilateral level with other world countries.

From New York President Zuma will proceed to Pittsburgh , Pennysylvania, USA for the G20 Summit scheduled to take place from 24 - 25 September 2009. Upon conclusion of both the 64th session and G20 Summit, President Zuma and Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane will proceed to Caracas, Venezuela ahead of the Africa - South America Summit scheduled for the 27 - 28 September 2009.