President Zuma to attend UNGA

Friday, September 15, 2017

President Jacob Zuma will next week lead a South African delegation to the General Debate of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72).

The session will run from 19 - 25 September at the UN Headquarters in New York under the theme ‘“Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for all on a Sustainable Planet’. 

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. For South Africa, this general debate coincides with the centenary anniversary of struggle stalwart Oliver Reginald Tambo.

“President Zuma will host an event on 20 September 2017 at the UN in honour of this global icon of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa,” the Presidency said on Friday.

In addition to addressing the General Debate, President Zuma will also sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 20 September.

“Signature of the Treaty reflects South Africa’s continued commitment towards the achievement of a world free from the threat posed by nuclear weapons and ensuring that nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes only,” the presidency said.

President Zuma will also participate in an open debate on the Reform of UN Peacekeeping Operations, as well as the high level event entitled ‘African Union’s Theme of the Year: Roadmap on the Demographic Dividend: from Commitment to Action’, convened by the chair of the African Union, President Alpha Condé of Guinea.

President Zuma will be accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; State Security David Mahlobo; Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa, and Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane. - SAnews.gov.za