Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale leaves for Geneva this evening (Sunday) to receive the credentials for UNCTAD IX, the ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which will be held in Gauteng from 20 April to 11 May 1996.
Mr Sexwale will receive the credentials at 16h00 on Monday in an inter-continental ceremony involving a live satellite television link-up from Geneva with South Africa, Addis Ababa and New York.
The South African end of the link-up involves a ceremony at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, at which President Nelson Mandela will be the guest of honour. He will be accompanied by Trade & Industry Minister Trevor Manuel, who will serve as President of the XIth UNCTAD conference.
In New York, the ceremony will entail speeches by Dr Boutros-Boutros Ghali (secretary-general of the United Nations) and Reubens Ricupero (secretary-general of UNCTAD); an in Addis Ababa, by OAU chairperson Premier Meles Zenawi (Premier of Ethiopia).
The UNCTAD conference is the UN development body's highest policy-making body. It meets every four years to formulate major policy guidelines and decide on UNCTAD's programme of work.
It is custom that the head of government of the province hosting the conference acts as official host until the next conference. Mr Sexwale will therefore be Official Host of UNCTAD IX until 1999.
Heads of state from 187 countries will be invited to attend UNCTAD IX. Several key heads of state will remain in Gauteng for a conference of G7 countries, to be held from 12 to 15 May, followed by the World Economic Forum from 19 to 25 May.
Mr Sexwale was informed of the UNCTAD decision just days after he led the Gauteng provincial cabinet into a "strategic retreat" - a bosberaad, held in Muldersdrift on 31 August and 1 September - which identified economic development as the province's number one priority.
"The UNCTAD Conference couldn't have come at a better time for the people of Gauteng," Mr Sexwale said before his departure. "We are gearing up for greater economic growth in our province, to ensure better job prospects and overall development.
"To sharpen our own position, we wi be hoding a one-day summit with business on 26 September to engage with business leaders around our economic vision as provincial government. At this same meeting, we will be reporting back on our trip to East Asia in July this year, which has already brought about significant investments in the province."
Mr Sexwale returns to South Africa on Wednesday.
About UNCTAD
Issued by: Chris Vick, Communications Director, Office of the Premier Contact number: (011) 4571111 code 7320
Sunday 17 September 1995