21 September 2011

Your Excellency, President of the General Assembly;

Your Excellency, Secretary General of the United Nations;

Your Excellencies and Your Majesties;

Distinguished Delegates;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to you, Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on your election as President of the General Assembly.

We wish you a successful tenure in the stewardship of this august body and assure you of our delegation’s full support.

We congratulate your predecessor, Mr. Joseph Deiss, for the diligent manner in which he guided the work of this Assembly for the 65th session.

I would further like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Ban Ki-moon on his re-election as the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

It is also an honour for South Africa to welcome the Republic of South Sudan to the community of nations, as the 193rd member state of the United Nations.

Mr President,

This month the United States and the world marked the 10th anniversary of the horrendous 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks that affected the United States and eighty-nine other countries.

This horrific incident united the international community and strengthened its resolve and cooperation in fighting against terrorism.

We pay our respects to the victims of the tragedy and their families. We reaffirm our  commitment to work with other Member States to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Mr President,

The theme of this session: “The role of Mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means,” is timely and well chosen.

The United Nations Charter mandates the UN to utilize mediation as one of the tools to prevent and resolve conflicts around the globe.

The role of mediation as a tool for the settlement of disputes has renewed relevance today, given the number of conflicts in the world.

We should defend the independence and impartiality of the UN and promote the principles of its Charter during conflicts and crisis. The UN should never take sides in any conflict but should always maintain its impartiality.

The UN must not allow itself to be used by any country regardless of its history or size. All citizens of the world should feel confident and secure, in the knowledge that the UN is above all interests and only serves those of the global citizenry.

We are of the view that regional organizations play a crucial role in the resolution of conflicts and in regional mediation processes.

The UN Charter itself provides for the role of regional organizations in cooperation with the UN.

This role of the regions must always be enforced and enhanced, and not undermined.

In our continent, the AU continues to play a significant role in mediation and the resolution of conflicts, trying at all times to produce African solutions to African problems, of course with the support of the world.

Excellencies,

This year, the world witnessed the so-called Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East.

With regard to the situation in Libya, the AU played a crucial role in seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis, in line with its mandate of working for peace and stability in the continent.

However, it is a matter of record now that the AU efforts were never given a chance. Military actions were preferred over peaceful means.

Nonetheless, the AU continues to be seized with the Libyan conflict as it should.

South Africa, through the AU and the United Nations, will work with the National Transitional Council, the representative of the Libyan people, as they proceed to form an inclusive transitional government, which will take the Libyan seat in the African Union.

During this period of working towards normalcy in Libya, we call for a cessation of hostilities and an end to the NATO aerial bombardment.

We also call for the lifting of the No Fly Zone, which was necessitated by the need for the protection of civilians.

The proliferation of arms in Libya is a major concern. The transitional government will need to be supported in addressing this security issue. It may pose a serious challenge which will affect the entire sub-region if it is not attended to.

We also urge the new Libyan authorities to ensure the protection of migrant workers, especially those from sub-Saharan African countries, who number approximately 2.5 million.

Immediate measures should be taken to put an end to the killings, arbitrary arrests and the detention of migrant workers and black Libyans.

We will fully support the people of Libya as they go through the transition towards a new, united and democratic Libya which protects human rights, human dignity and freedom.

Excellencies,

South Africa continues to support international efforts to assist the people of Palestine and Israel to find lasting peace.

The decades-old struggle by the Palestinian people for a sovereign State of their own has now reached a turning point.

The Palestinian Authority, backed by the League of Arab States, has stated its intention to seek UN membership for the State of Palestine. South Africa fully supports this position.

It is a decisive step towards achieving lasting peace, economic cooperation and prosperity for the millions of people in the Middle East, and urge that it be viewed favourably.

Mr President,

We also support the ongoing struggle for self-determination by the people of the Western Sahara.

We urge the international community to support their quest for freedom, human rights and dignity.

We reiterate our call for the lifting of the economic and financial embargo against the people of Cuba, to help them gain their economic freedom.

Mr President,

All Member States have a duty to safeguard the future and relevance of the United Nations.

Recent international developments have made more urgent, our efforts to intensify the reform agenda of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, as well as the Bretton Woods Institutions.

No reform can be complete without the substantive reform of the Security Council, whose membership must be consistent with the principle of equitable geographical representation.

In this regard, we reiterate our call for Africa to be represented in the permanent category of the UN Security Council.

Mr President,

South Africa is preparing to welcome the international community and all stakeholders  to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the seventh meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol, in November and December this year.

The success of conference is highly dependent on the willingness of all Parties to reach an agreement. It does not depend on South Africa alone.

As leaders we are accountable to the global citizenry, the ordinary people that suffer daily from the impacts of climate change.

They hold high expectations from their leaders to be responsible and to find effective solutions to the threat that climate change presents to their livelihood, quality of life, dignity, and in many cases, their very survival. We dare not fail them.

Mr President,

We are witnessing the catastrophic effects of famine in Somalia and neighboring countries.

Our response should not be left to the United Nations alone, but requires united action from all of us.

We have, as South Africa been humbled to contribute in a small way to the alleviation of the human suffering. The people of Somalia still need more support and we urge world attention to be directed more sharply to Somalia and neighbours in the Horn of Africa.

Excellencies;

It is commendable that the Millennium Development Goals and their realization by 2015, continues to feature in the agenda of the UN General Assembly.

It is now four years to go before we reach the target date. It is clear that many of the goals will not be attained on time, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa.

We call on the international community and the UN to redouble efforts to assist countries that are lagging behind.

Excellencies,

In this session we will be commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action,  the outcome document of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that was held in Durban, South Africa in 2001.

Racism and racial discrimination continue to pose a challenge to humanity and negate the principles of the Charter of the UN.

We should continue to work together to eradicate the scourge of racism.

Mr President, on the 8th of January 2012, the African National Congress, the oldest liberation movement in Africa, will mark one hundred years of existence since its establishment in 1912.

The ANC spearheaded the struggle against racial oppression, colonialism and apartheid in South Africa. It inspired many in the African continent to fight for their freedom and independence from colonialism.

The United Nations declared apartheid a crime against humanity and in that way, endorsed the struggle against racial oppression in our country.

The Centenary of the ANC recognizes the immense contribution of the UN and the international community in working to eradicate racism and racial discrimination in the world.

We will, tomorrow, host a symposium on South Africa’s contribution to the fight against racism and racial discrimination.

Mr President,

Working together let us remain committed to multilateralism and cooperation in this Session of the General Assembly and beyond, and promote the achievement of a more equal and just world.

I thank you, Mr President.

SANDTON, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

11 and 12 JUNE, 2011

1. The Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held at Sandton, Republic of South Africa on 11 and 12 June 2011.

2. The Summit was officially opened by His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia and SADC Chairperson.

3. The Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and Government or their representatives:

Lesotho : Rt. Hon. Pakalitha Mosisili;

Malawi : H.E. Ngwazi Prof. Bingu Wa Mutharika;

Mozambique : H.E. Armando Emilio Guebuza ;

Namibia : H.E. Hifikepunye Pohamba;

South Africa : H.E. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma;

Swaziland : H.M. King Mswati III;

Tanzania : H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete;

Zimbabwe : H.E. Robert Gabriel Mugabe;

Botswana : H.E. Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe, Vice President;

Seychelles : H.E Dr Danny Faure, Vice President.

Zambia : H.E. George Kunda, Vice President and Minister of Justice;

Angola : Hon. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Minister of External

Relations;

DRC : Hon. Raymond Tshibanda N’tungamulongo, Minister of

Regional and International Cooperation;

Mauritius : Hon. Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional

Integration and International Trade.

4. The Summit was also attended by SADC Executive Secretary Dr. Tomaz A. Salomão.

5. In attendance of the Summit was also H.E. Joaquim A. Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique, and SADC Mediator on Madagascar.

6. Also in attendance at the Summit was the Right Hon. Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and Hon. Prof. Welshman Ncube, representing MDC-T, MDC-N political parties respectively.

7. Summit considered reports on the prevailing political and security situation in Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

8. On Madagascar, Summit noted the outcome of the meeting that took place on 6 and 7June, 2011 in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana, convened by the SADC Chairperson, H.E Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia and H.E. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia and Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and H.E Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique and the SADC Mediator on the Madagascar crisis, as mandated by the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government at its meeting held in Windhoek, Republic of Namibia, 20 May, 2011.

9. Summit also noted that the Gaborone meeting was attended by eleven (11) political stakeholders from Madagascar, namely: AREMA; ESCOPOL; Les Autres Sensibilités; HPM; MDM; Mouvance Ratsiraka; Mouvance Ravalomanana; Mouvance Zafy; TGV; UAMAD/MONIMA and UDR-C.

10. Summit commended the SADC Chairperson, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation for convening the meeting with the Malagasy stakeholders.

11. Summit also commended the people and Government of the Republic of Botswana for hosting the meeting.

12. Summit noted that the return of that country to constitutional normalcy is a matter of urgency.

13. Summit also noted that eight out of eleven Malagasy Political Stakeholders have already initialled the Roadmap that is intended to return the country to constitutional normalcy.

14. Summit endorsed the Roadmap to bring Madagascar into constitutional normalcy presented by the SADC Mediator on Madagascar after effecting necessary amendments.

15. Summit urged the leaders of the Mouvances Ratsiraka, Ravalomanana and Zafy to initial the Roadmap expeditiously as soon as the necessary amendments are effected.

16. Summit also urged the High Transition Authority (HTA) to allow Malagasy people in exile for political reasons, to be allowed to return to the country unconditionally including Mr. Marc Ravalomanana.

17. Summit further urged the HTA to urgently develop and enact all outstanding Legal Instruments to ensure the political freedom of all Malagasy in the inclusive process leading to free, fair, and credible elections.

18. Summit commended the Malagasy Political Stakeholders for their commitment to dialogue and finding an inclusive solution and urged them to remain focused on the implementation of the agreed Roadmap in order to urgently fulfil the aspirations of the Malagasy people for peace, stability and socio-economic development.

19. Summit also commended H.E. Joachim Chissano, former President of Mozambique for his tireless efforts in bringing together the Malagasy stakeholders in the search of lasting solution for the current crisis in Madagascar.

20. Summit urged the Organ Troika to remain actively seized of the political situation in Madagascar.

21. On Zimbabwe, Summit noted the report of H.E. Jacob G. Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and SADC Facilitator on Zimbabwe, on the progress made in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe noting consultations held with the Stakeholders in Zimbabwe on the implementation of the outstanding issues on the GPA.

22. Summit noted the decisions of the Organ Troika Summit held in Livingstone, Zambia in March 2011.

23. Summit mandated the Organ Troika to continue to assist Zimbabwe in the full implementation of the GPA.

24. Summit urged the Organ Troika to appoint their representatives as soon as possible to participate in the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC).

25. Summit mandated the Secretariat to mobilise resources for JOMIC for it to discharge its functions.

26. Summit encouraged the parties to the GPA to move faster in the implementation of the GPA and create a conducive environment to the holding of elections that will be free and fair, under conditions of a level political field.

27. Summit commended H.E. Jacob G. Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, and the Facilitator for the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue for his efforts towards the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement.

28. Summit urged the Organ Troika to remain seized with the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in Zimbabwe.

29. Summit recalled its decision taken during the Extraordinary Summit in Windhoek, Namibia in August r 2010, mandating the Chairperson of SADC, the Chairperson of the Organ, SADC Facilitator for the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue assisted by the Secretariat to undertake the mission to the United Kingdom, United States of America and the European Union.

30. Summit received a Report on the mission and noted its recommendations.

31. Summit committed to continue dialogue with the western powers on the removal of sanction against Zimbabwe.

32. Summit expressed heartfelt condolences to the Government and the People of South Africa for the passing of Mrs Albertina Sisulu who was laid to rest on 11 June 2011.

33. The Summit expressed its appreciation to the Government and People of the Republic of South Africa for the warm hospitality extended to all delegates and facilities placed at their disposal that made this Summit a success.

SANDTON, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

JUNE 12, 2011

 

 

Your Excellency, Minister Krishna

Your Excellency, Minister Patriota

Our National Focal Points and their representatives

Ladies and gentlemen

Please accept my warm appreciation for the kind hospitality extended to me and my delegation since our arrival in the incredible India.

I would like to wish India every success in the hosting of the Cricket World Cup, and (on a lighter note) express my wish to see India and South Africa play in the final! Perhaps India and South Africa must export cricket to Brazil; and South Africa and Brazil export soccer to India!

Our warm congratulations and best wishes go to Brazil for hosting the next FIFA Soccer World Cup. South Africa is ready to exchange its experience in hosting this event.

On a more somber note, allow me to convey our condolences for the suffering of the Brazilian people due to natural disasters.

Your Excellencies, we will forever remain grateful for the support we received from your respective countries for our membership of BRICS. I do believe that these two organisations are unique in their own right, but there are complementarities where the two could join forces. I am looking forward to exchanging views with you on the forthcoming BRICS Summit as well as South Africa’s hosting of the IBSA Summit in October 2011.

The events currently unfolding in parts of North Africa and the Middle East emphasize the importance of democracy and inclusive growth to the development of our countries. These are the core values that define the IBSA community. To us, democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, and delivering services to our people – is what we consider central to the work of our respective governments.

We as IBSA partners must continue to support a peaceful solution to these various crises.

This brings me to the critical aspect of ensuring that the UN remains central to addressing global peace and security issues. While we are on the UN Security Council as non-permanent members, we remain concerned that we are there as second-class citizens when we should all be represented on the UN equally. I do believe, therefore, that the time is opportune, given our joint representation in the UNSC, to conclusively advance UNSC reform. Our Joint Communiqué to be issued after this meeting reflects our resolve to maintain our close coordination with a specific aim to achieve concrete results in the ongoing inter-governmental negotiations by the end of the current UNGA session. Our Permanent Representatives should remain seized with this matter and define joint strategies towards this end.

We will definitely take the sustainable development agenda forward through South Africa’s hosting of COP 17 and Brazil hosting the Rio + 20 Summit. In this regard, we will closely consult in preparing for COP17 with our partners, also in the context of the BASIC group.

On international trade issues, the conclusion of the WTO’s Doha Development Round has been taking far too long and it is time that we bring this to finality, but certainly not at the cost of achieving a balanced outcome for developing countries. We are perturbed that it would appear that certain parties may wish to frustrate the process of reaching a conclusive Round. South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the WTO in Geneva has been instructed to remain vigilant to this fact and coordinate closely with like-minded partners.

Meanwhile we should pursue our common goal of achieving $25bn inter-IBSA trade by 2015 with renewed vigour. Our leaders at the next IBSA Summit could provide further impetus to advancing our trilateral trade. We still view the issue of interconnectivity among our three countries as of the utmost strategic importance and this matter should remain high on the agenda of the relevant Working Groups.

When I glance at our southern skies and see many satellites criss-crossing the night like stars, I am eagerly looking forward to receive the data from our IBSA satellite initiative that was announced at the past Summit. I am convinced that this project will demonstrate to the world that IBSA as one working model for South-South cooperation is reaching new heights for a better world.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss later how we could collectively take greater ownership of the IBSA Fund and further enhance its visibility as our unique flagship initiative for South-South cooperation.

Excellencies, Africa stands to benefit from this IBSA partnership in our quest as a continent for sustainable development, peace and security, and democracy. South Africa is playing its part in advancing NEPAD priority sectors and particularly championing infrastructure development in Africa. As a country we promote the North-South Corridor Road and Rail project as agreed among African leaders at the AU Summit last year. There are various priority areas that might be of interest to the IBSA community (including the private sector) such as ICT, agriculture infrastructure, transport, energy, water and sanitation. I am of the firm conviction that both IBSA and BRICS could play a substantial role in assisting the development of infrastructure in Africa to our mutual benefit. President Zuma will propose an initiative in this regard at the Third BRICS Summit.

In South Africa, we value IBSA for the contribution it is making in helping our country realize its vision of a better life for all our people, in a better Africa and a better world. We have identified five priorities that we have shared with Your Excellencies before which are in the areas of job creation, combating crime and corruption, providing accessible and quality health care and education to our people, and advancing rural development and land reform. We are making progress in all these priority areas, but more must still be done! To that end, our Cabinet has declared 2011 the year of Job Creation through shared and sustainable growth. We know that you, Excellencies, as our partners in the IBSA, will be on our side, walking the road with us.

On the IBSA working methods, we must always improve and strive for excellence. Our Working Groups must set a good example in this regard.

The success of IBSA is critical to giving momentum to the emerging geo-strategic trend that is characterized by the increasing weight of developing countries in global affairs. This is a welcome development for our vision of a better world.

To end, I would like to once again extend my warm appreciation and personal pleasure to participate in our meeting today and I am looking forward to our vibrant exchanges.

We are ready to receive all of you in South Africa for the 5th IBSA Summit!

Thank you.

Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly,

Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces;

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP;

Deputy President of the Republic, Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe;

Former President Thabo Mbeki,

Former Deputy President FW De Klerk,

Former Deputy President Baleka Mbete,

Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, and all esteemed members of the Judiciary;

Distinguished Premiers and Speakers of our Provinces;

Chairperson of SALGA, and all local government leadership;

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders; The Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions;

The Governor of the Reserve Bank; Gill Marcus

The Heads of our security institutions,

Leadership of all sectors – labour, business, sports, and religious leaders,

Members of the diplomatic corps;

South African and foreign media;

Fellow South Africans,

Dumelang, good evening, goeie naand, molweni, thobela,

Thank you Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly and the Honourable Chairperson of the NCOP, for this opportunity to share with fellow South Africans and international guests our review and programme of action for this year.

I called this Joint Sitting in the evening again so that all, including students and workers, can have an opportunity at first hand to listen to their government speak on issues affecting their lives.

We thank the Presiding Officers for allowing us this opportunity.

Let me also, on behalf of government, welcome the Members of Parliament back to this beautiful mother city of Cape Town.

We would like to thank all South Africans who contributed to this State of the Nation Address through mainstream media, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as direct contact.

The inputs have been very helpful.

Tomorrow will be 21 years since the release of our beloved President Nelson Mandela from prison.

It was a historic and very special moment for our country, which demonstrated the victory of our people over tyranny and apartheid oppression.

The events of that day prepared the ground for the implementation of our vision of a free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous South Africa.

We have entered the 17th year of freedom, ready to continue the drive to make South Africa a successful and prosperous country, building on the foundation that was laid by President Mandela.

As we mark this milestone, we extend the nation’s good wishes to Tata Madiba and his family, and wish him a speedy recovery.

Compatriots,

We need to accept the reality that President Mandela, who is loved by all of us, young and old, men and women, black and white, is not young anymore.

He will, from time to time, visit medical facilities for checkups, which is normal for a person of his age.

We should allow him to do so with dignity, and give the family and the medical team the space to look after him, on our behalf, in privacy.

We owe him that much given his love of this country and its people, and the contribution he has made to South Africa, Africa and the world.

We thank the family, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the medical team for the sterling work that they are doing, in caring for a global icon, that we are so proud to call our own.

We want to assure the nation that Madiba is receiving very good medical care, and is comfortable.