SA Coat of Arms.jpg
The Presidency, Media Statement, 18 November 2013 President Zuma returns from his working visit to Sri Lanka His Excellency President Jacob Zuma last night, 17 November 2013, returned from his two day working visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) on 15-17 November 2013. The theme for CHOGM, was "Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development." The theme highlights the importance of equity in economic development in view of the disparities in the distribution of wealth and economic benefits and recognises that inclusive development promotes and contributes towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). President Zuma said the theme resonated very well with South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to eradicate poverty and inequality by 2030. With regard to the United Nations' Post-2015 Development Agenda, President Zuma recommended that: "We must build on progress accomplished thus far, and take into account regional programmes. Poverty eradication, addressing income inequalities and job creation must remain the overarching objectives of the Development Agenda beyond 2015." President Zuma also participated in the Dialogue between the Commonwealth Heads of Government and Youth Leaders. President Zuma stated that South Africa welcomed the establishment of the Commonwealth Youth Council and congratulated its elected leadership, which will ensure that youth matters are taken forward in an organised manner. President Zuma urged Commonwealth Leaders to continue championing the aspirations of the youth and ensure that their voice is represented in Commonwealth actions at national and international levels. At separate bilateral meetings President Zuma also met President Mahinda Rajapaksa of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the leadership of the Tamil National Alliance to discuss the role that could be played by South Africa in assisting the people of Sri Lanka to resolve their problems through engagement. South Africa has been a member of the Commonwealth since the end of Apartheid in 1994 and has actively participated in the deliberations and work of the organisation. President Zuma was accompanied by Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Mr Obed Bapela, Deputy Minister in the Presidency. The full CHOGM 2013 Communiqué is obtainable on http://www.chogm2013.lk/index.php/chogm-2013/final-communique/ Issued by: The Presidency, Pretoria Enquiries: Mac Maharaj 079 879 3203 or [email protected] -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
<<image001.jpg>>
