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President Jacob Zuma has arrived in New York, in the United States of America to attend the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting.

The theme of this year’s UNGA debate is: “Delivering on and Implementing a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda”. 

The debate will focus on the approaching 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda.

“We are happy that we have done a lot to move towards achieving the MDGs and our work continues to promote the key goals of education, health, women’s empowerment, improved quality education including access for girl children and also in promoting public participation in governance,’’ said President Zuma, who will address the world organisation on the topic on the 24th of September.

South Africa has made significant progress in achieving the MDGs and will continue to work towards the 2015 deadline.

Halving the share of the population earning less than $1.25 per person, per day hasbeen achieved, while the share of those experiencing hunger has also been halved.

South Africa has attained the Goal 2 of providing access to primary educational access for all.

On official international indicators, South Africa is doing well to promote and empower women (MDG3).

On the improvement of health access, South Africa has recorded impressive progress through the expansion of health infrastructure and improved access to health services for all South Africans.

On the reduction of child mortality (MDG4) and improvement of maternal health (MDG5) significant progress has also been recorded, although more work still remains.

President Zuma will also use the occasion of the occasion of the Assembly to thank the United Nations and the international community for support as South Africa marks 20 years of freedom and democracy this year. After two decades of democracy South Africa still remains grateful to the UN for its continuous support in the struggle against apartheid.

Since 1994 South Africa has made significant progress in transforming the apartheid state into a democratic one founded on the values of human dignity, non-discrimination, non-racialism and non-sexism, the rule of law, and universal adult suffrage as enshrined in the Constitution.

The South Africa Twenty Year Review 1994–2014 states unequivocally that millions of our people have been lifted out of poverty. Millions now have access to water, healthcare, education, housing and many other basic services which they did not have before 1994.

The President will thus a special reception to thank the international community.

The President Zuma will also attend a number of side events forming part of the UNGA programme.

The President is accompanied by: Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans; Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Minister of Social Development; Ms Bathabile Dlamini, Minister of Health; Dr Aaron Motsoaledi,Minister of State Security; Mr David Mahlobo, Minister of the Environmental Affairs; Ms Edna Molewa, Minister of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs; Mr Pravin Gordhan and Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration; Ms Ayanda Dlodlo.

Issued by the Presidency