Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
4 September 2000
President Mbeki will be representing South Africa at the United Nations Millennium Summit of Heads of State and Government from 6 to 8 September 2000. More than 150 world leaders will deliberate on the central issue of the "The role of the United Nations in the 21st Century".
While in New York, the President will also chair the first meeting of the Commonwealth High Level Group, which is mandated to review the role of the Commonwealth and to advise the membership on how best the Commonwealth might respond to the challenges of the new century.
President Mbeki will address the Plenary of the UN Millennium Summit on the morning of 7 September. On 6 September, he will participate, with more than 40 other Heads of State and Government, in one of four inter-active round-table sessions in an informal exchange of views on the role of the UN in the next century.
It is envisaged that the UN Millennium Summit will adopt a declaration reaffirming the international community's commitment to the United Nations and outlining a vision and broad course of action for the Organisation during the 21st century. Themes that are expected to receive attention include Peace, Security and Disarmament; Development and Poverty Eradication; Environment; Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance; Meeting the Special Needs of Africa; and strengthening the United Nations.
Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will accompany President Mbeki to the Millennium Summit. After the Summit she will attend and address the General Debate of the UN Millennium Assembly, as the 55th Session of the UN General Assembly has been named.
The UN Millennium Summit and Assembly provide a valuable opportunity for South Africa to promote the ideal of the African Century by bringing the concerns and aspirations of Africa to the attention of the UN at the highest level. These should be effectively addressed in the UN's vision and blueprint for action for the 21st century. One of the concerns, also of the developing world in general, would be the need for a partnership in reforming the current system of global governance to ensure greater representativity, openness, equity and predictability.
It is of particular importance to South Africa that the UN plays a pivotal role in the next century in assisting Africa to be brought into the mainstream of the world economy. It would also be important that the UN and other international organisations take special measures to address the challenges of poverty eradication and sustainable development of the continent.
Both President Mbeki and Minister Dlamini-Zuma will avail themselves of the opportunity to also meet with some of their counterparts to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and international significance. On 14 September 2000, the Minister will also chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement.
For more information, please contact Dumisani Rasheleng
Office No. (012) 351 0067
Cell. No. 083 709 8166