UN Secretaty-General Ban Ki-Monn and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa

Durban, 18 July 2016 – The Secretary-General today met with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, on the opening day of the AIDS2016 conference in Durban.

The Secretary-General commended South Africa for its progress in the fight against AIDS, particularly in giving access to treatment to people affected by HIV, recalling that the Durban Conference in 2000 had set very good guidelines to achieve such progress. However, he stressed that much remained to be done at the global level to ensure the ending of the epidemic by 2030.

Mr Ramaphosa  expressed appreciation for the support lent by the United Nations, through leadership of the SG and UNAIDS in the fight against HIV and AIDS in South Africa and Globally. He expressed his best wishes to the UNSG for the remainder of his term of office.

The two leaders also discussed a number of regional issues. On South Sudan, they agreed on the importance of regional engagement to find a solution to the conflict. They also expressed their concern regarding the impact on civilians of recent incidents between security forces and the Renamo movement in Mozambique. On Lesotho, the Secretary-General appreciated the mediation efforts by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and on Burundi, he reiterated the need for an inclusive political dialogue, thanking South Africa for its efforts in facilitating such a dialogue. (more…)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon with South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who is also the Co-Chairperson of the South Africa National Council

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Nelson Mandela and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and work of a legend who embodied the highest values of the United Nations.

Madiba was a model global citizen whose example continues to guide us in our work to build a better world for all.

Today, we remember a man of quiet dignity and towering achievement who worked tirelessly for peace and human dignity.

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SAIIA delegates and the deputy minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo of the Department of International Relations and Coopertation

Seventy-five inspiring, young leaders,  gathered at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) to host their own negotiation session themed: ‘Connecting the past to the present: Young South Africans shaping a sustainable future’. The session was hosted as part of the fourth Young Leaders Conference and focused on equipping South African youth with knowledge and understanding of local and international issues connected to sustainability and helping them to tackle current challenges such as climate change, HIV/AIDS and women empowerment.

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