Pretoria - Progress on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and climate change will be among the key focus areas for President Zuma during the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA66).
President Zuma will today depart for New York to participate in the UNGA66, where he is scheduled to address the General Assembly on 21 September 2011. The theme for this year's session is: "The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means."
Other areas of focus for Zuma will include the global financial and economic crisis, reform of international institutions which include the UN itself, promoting the African Agenda, peace and stability in the Middle East as well as promoting South-South relations.
The President is also scheduled to participate in and address a series of high level meetings that will take place on the sidelines of the UNGA66 on Monday, where he is expected to co-chair the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability and also ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in the afternoon.
Other high level meetings include a Leaders' Dialogue on Climate Change, Meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration on Programme of Action, Security Council Summit on Preventative Diplomacy as well as a High Level Meeting on Nuclear Safety and Security.
During this period, the President is also expected to join the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting on the margins of the General Assembly.
The meeting will review developments in Libya and take appropriate positions to reinforce efforts towards peace, democracy and development in Libya, this includes ensuring the emergence of a united African position.
While at the UN, President Zuma will also lobby for an equitable and balanced outcome at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17/CMP7) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is to take place in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011.
The President will thereafter depart for Houston, Texas, where he will strengthen bilateral and economic relations as well as receive an honorary degree from the Texas Southern University on 22 September 2011.
Zuma's delegation includes International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane as well as senior government officials. - BuaNews
