The Diplomat It’S Your Voice
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International Relations the diplomat it’s your voice Internal Newsletter of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation September 2009 President Jacob Zuma meeting United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon inside: 4 5 11 September 2009 the diplomat 1 Editorial Note International RelationsRelations DEAR COLLEAGUES elcome to another edition of the Diplomat. PRESIDENT ZUMA It will be unwise not to appreciate the positive comments we have received from LED SOUTH AFRICAN Wcolleagues here at Head Office and at Missions for the special photographic insert of the new Head DELEGATION TO THE Office building included in last month’s edition. Your comments are highly appreciated and 64TH SESSION motivate us to continue working harder to improve this newsletter to keep you well informed at all OF THE UNITED NATIONS times. GENERAL ASSEMBLY In this edition we bring you the following: President Jacob Zuma at the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly; President Jacob President Jacob Zuma, supported by Zuma at the 2nd Africa-South America Summit; Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s Imbizo International Relations and outreach programme; celebrating and remembering the life of Zakes Mokae; our embassy in Thailand Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana participates in expo, courtesy call by Ambassador Mashabane, Water and Environmental Affairs Anil Sooklal to Minister-President Kris Peeters; Batho Pele - 2010 style; our embassy in Bulgaria’s Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, Health Minister, credentials ceremony; our Philippines embassy’s Aaron Motsoaledi and Home Affairs Minister, calabash of cape wine, cuisine and culture in Cebu. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Senior Happy reading! Government officials represented South Af- rica at the 64th Session of the United Nations the diplomat is an internal newsletter of the General Assembly ( UNGA) Department of International Relations and Cooperation published by the Directorate: scheduled in New York from Content Development. 21 - 25 September 2009. Editor-in-Chief: President Jacob Zuma, ad- Nomfanelo Kota dresses the general debate of his year’s UNGA 64 Ses- • Global financial and economic proceded to Pittsburgh, Pennysylvania, the sixty-fourth session of the sion was be held under crises USA, for the G20 Summit. General Assembly Editor: the Theme “ Effective re- • Climate Change Paseka Mokhethea sponses to global crises; • Reform of international President Jacob Zuma (R) and Compilation, Sub-Editing & Proofreading: his wife Nompumelelo Ntuli strengthening multilateral- institutions, including the Elion Von Wielligh (2ndL) and US President Barack ismT and dialogue among civilisations United Nations nd Obama (2 R) and his wife for international peace; security and • Promotion of the African Agenda Michelle Obama (L) at the G-20 Design and Layout: development”. including NEPAD Shaune van Wyk, Zimele Ngxongo, Pumeza Albert, dinner, Phipps Conservatory, President Jacob Zuma addressed the • Promotion of disarmament and Muzi Msimanga 24 September 2009 in JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) SAMAD/AFP/GETTY JEWEL Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania General Assembly on the 23 Septem- nuclear non - proliferation Pictures: ber 2009 during the afternoon session. Jacoline Prinsloo, Sanjay Singh & Unathi Ngamntwini Both Ministers Sonjica and Nkoana The General Debate of the 64th session Mashabane also participated in the The views expressed in this newsletter do not presented an opportunity for Heads of Summit on Climate Change on the 22 necessarily reflect those of the DIRCO or the editors. States and Governments to interact on September 2009. The deadline for contributions is 20 November 2009. global issues that confront the interna- On the margins of the 64TH UNGA Contributions may be sent to cbe000 or tional community. session, President Zuma held a series [email protected] of bilateral meetings with his counter- The South African delegation, in all its parts in an endeavour to garner support All enquiries: Paseka Mokhethea at interactions during the 64th UNGA on South Africa’s positions on a range of Tel: (012) 351-1569 Fax: (012) 342-1192 Session , contributed to the following issues of international importance and to consolidate cooperation on the multi- debates: IMAGES) (GETTY (PHOTO BY JOHN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES) JOHN MOORE/GETTY BY (PHOTO • Poverty eradication and the lateral level with other countries. President Jacob Zuma speaking at the 64th World Leaders at theG-20 summit held at the David L. Lawrence Millenium Development Goals From New York, President Zuma General Assembly at United Nations Convention Center, aimed at promoting economic growth Headquarters in New York 2 the diplomat September 2009 September 2009 the diplomat 3 International Relations Missions Activities CELEBRATING AND Far left: REMEMBERING THE LIFE The Openning of ASA Summit OF ZAKES MOKAE in Venezuela n Friday, 18 September country of his birth. He won many 2009 in a hot sunny day awards and accolades yet remained President in Las Vegas, Nevada, humble and committed to the free- Jacob Zuma the Consul-General Ms. dom of his country. and his wife JeanetteO Ndhlovu accompanied by Nompumelelo Vice Consul Mrs. Kgopotso John He was particularly remembered for Ntuli arriving in Venezuela represented the Government and his infectious laughter by those who people of South Africa and joined knew him. scores of people who came from World renowned writer Athol Fu- other parts of the United States and gard, remembered him as a self- UK to pay their last respect to one of less and caring individual who made at all levels to exploit the immense Africa’s sons, Zakes Mokae and to a contribution in the lives of many opportunities which bound the two comfort his widow Mandy Mokae. young and aspiring actors. PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AT THE continents; • Explore and exploit opportunities for The event was a solemn yet lively The South African Consulate in Los cooperation and collaboration in the celebration of Zakes’ life that includ- Angeles was indeed honoured that 2ND AFRICA – SOUTH AMERICA SUMMIT areas of Agriculture, Trade, and In- ed music and poetry. Mokae was the Consul General was able to pay vestment, Energy, Technology, Water a gifted artist who used his talents tribute to this international campaign- Resources and Tourism; to fight for the freedom of all in the er for freedom and human rights. • Promote South-South Cooperation and the Consolidation of the African Agen- da in the betterment of the African con- tinent and the Countries of the South. • Develop appropriate common positions in multilateral negotiations such as the 2 3 reform of the Global Multilateral Sys- tem of Governance and the attainment 1.President Jacob Zuma and Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane at ASA Summit of the Millennium Development Goals 1 in Venezuela 2. President Jacob Zuma with his counterpart, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez 3. President Hugo Chaves making remarks as he opens the ASA (MDGs). Summit in Margarieta Island in Venezuela Both Africa and Latin America seek con- Consul- meetings with his Latin American counter- gruency on several issues affecting the resident Jacob Zuma, sup- Heads of State and Government (ASA); General ported by International Rela- parts, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, that should meet every two years, alter- two regions such as: Reform of the United Jeanette tions and Cooperation Minis- Chilean President, Dr. Michele Bache- natively in the two regions. Nations Security Council (UNSC) in line Ndhlovu ter Maite Nkoana Mashabane, let as well as Uruguay President Tabare with the Common African Position on the at Zakes Mokae’s Minister in the Presidency, Collins Vazquesz. These engagements were The 2nd Summit between Africa and Latin UN Reform as stipulated in the Ezulwini P memorial Chabane, Deputy Minister Sue van der aimed at strengthening South – South American countries was preceded by the Consensus and the Sirte Declaration of Merwe, International Relations Advisor, cooperation as well as bilateral relations Ministerial and Senior Officials Meetings. the Assembly of Heads of State and Gov- Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu; between South Africa and her Latin Ameri- ernment of July 2005 and; the resumption Economic Advisor, Mr Mandisi Mpahl- can counterparts. The ASA Summit principally seeks to and successful conclusion of the Doha wa, as well as South African Ambassa- deepen and intensify South-South Coop- Round. dor to the Bolivarian Republic of Ven- BACKGROUND TO THE eration. In addition the 2nd Summit aimed ezuela, Bhekisizwe Gila and Lungile AFRICA – SOUTH AMERICA to: Furthermore the two regions have much Pepani, South African Ambassador to SUMMIT INITIATIVE in common in areas such as capacity the African Union visited Isla Margarita, The 1st ASA Summit- Space of Heads • Adopt strategies and measures that building and cooperation in the areas of Venezuela for the 2nd Africa – South of State and Government (HoSG) held will translate the vision of the Africa- social upliftment, rural development, tour- America Summit (ASA) scheduled for in Abuja, Nigeria on 30 November 2006, South America Cooperative Forum ism, renewable energy, policies on climate the 26-27 September 2009. adopted the Abuja Declaration and the into concrete economic, political and change, science and technology, sport, Plan of Action. Key to this Declaration social benefits; education and cultural exchange, as well Whilst in Venezuela, President Zuma was the establishment of the Africa- as advancement of the interests of the de- Consul-General with Dr Moloi Consul-General