Prime Minister to Address UN General Assembly

The Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, at the head of a five member delegation to the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly, is expected to make a statement this afternoon, September 23, at this New York, United States of America gathering running from September 21 until October 1, 2004. 

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the 59th session will among other issues, deliberate on the Secretary General's report on the implementation of a resolution on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), on the basis of inputs from governments, organisations of the UN system and other stakeholders in Partnership and; the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa.

Whilst in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa, also attended the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting on September 23 and the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (VMAG) meeting on September 25. 

It has become a tradition that the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting in the wings of the UN General Assembly in New York to receive briefs from the Secretary General of the Association, as well as to discuss issues of mutual interest, the Foreign Affairs statement said.

At their meeting in London in May 2004, the CMAG agreed to meet in the wings of the UN Assembly to review decisions made as well as receive updates on Pakistan and the Fiji Islands.

The Prime Minister's delegation is made up of the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Motlatsi Ramafole; Lesotho's Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Mr. Mosuhla Leteka and; the Senior Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mrs M. Seitlheko.

23 September 2004