Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is in New York to preside over South Africa assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of January.
The UNSC presidency rotates monthly among its member states alphabetically, and the Council is organised in such a way that it is able to function continuously.
The International Relations Department says South Africa will use its presidency to explore concrete measures to strengthen the relationship between the UN and regional organisations, in particular the African Union, in the area of conflict prevention, management and resolution on the African continent.
"We will certainly take advantage of these important occasions to advance our international relations policy objectives, including supporting the African Agenda, South-South and North-South cooperation, with a view to promoting democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights," said President Zuma.
Zuma and President Tarja Halonen of Finland will co-chair the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP), which aims to formulate a new plan for achieving sustainable development and meeting the Millennium Development Goals and other development objectives. ?
Since its establishment, the panel has explored approaches to growth that would translate into effective socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
