Minister Pandor arrives in New York to lead SA’s delegation to UNGA77

Media Statement

 

19 September 2022

 

Minister Pandor arrives in New York to lead SA’s delegation to UNGA77

 

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has arrived in New York today, 19 September 2022, where she is leading South Africa’s delegation to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) taking place at the United Nations headquarters from 20-27 September 2022 under the theme: “A watershed moment: Unlocking transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.”

 

Minister Pandor has said that this year’s UNGA theme resonates with South Africa’s philosophy of working together as a global community to find solutions to challenges affecting the global community.

 

“UNGA77 is being held at a time when the world is characterised by geopolitical tensions, concerns around the proliferation of mini-lateral security pacts which, in part, replicate the work that should ordinarily be undertaken by the UN Security Council. Also, the world economy is under strain, and its ramifications on food, energy and finances require a united global response,” said Minister Pandor.

 

Several high-level meetings are being held on the margins of the UNGA77. These include meetings focussing on transforming education, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the elimination of nuclear weapons and several climate-related engagements. The climate change engagements precede the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference that is scheduled to take place in November 2022 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt.

 

The various engagements at UNGA will provide South Africa with an opportunity to highlight issues of national, regional and international importance.

 

South Africa’s participation in the General Debate of the UNGA77 is a strategic opportunity for the promotion of our national and foreign policy objectives as espoused in Chapter 7 of the NDP, titled: “Positioning South Africa in the World”.

 

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

 

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