The Minister of Tourism, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, is leading a South African delegation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development at the United Nations (UN) in New York, USA, from 16 July to 19 July 2019.
The forum has been convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC") under the theme “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality".
South Africa is one of 47 countries that are submitting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for HLPF 2019. The meeting, also attended by a South African delegation which includes civil society and business, is held jointly with ECOSOC's annual high-level segment in which Minister Kubayi-Ngubane will deliver the African Group Statement as Chair of the month for July.
Other activities in which Minister will participate as head of delegation are as follows:
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
- Visit SA Tourism Hub in New York responsible for driving growth into South Africa from this region. The North American region is a key market for SA Tourism, accounting for just over 4% (445 000) of international visitors to South Africa in 2018
- Panel discussion on “Informal Sector and Agenda 2030”
- High level African Union & African Peer Review Mechanism panel discussion
Wednesday, 17 July 2019
- General debate of ECOSOC and HLPF
- Presentation of HLPF Voluntary National Reviews
- Women Leaders Breakfast
- Ministerial luncheon for Heads of Delegation
- Panel discussion “Youth, technology and the rule of law: hackathons to educate and empower youth to act on SDG16
Thursday, 18 July 2019
- Deliver national statement in commemoration of the United Nations Nelson Mandela International Day in celebration of the life and legacy of the late struggle icon
- Present national statement at the Unveiling of a Peace Bench “The Best Weapon"
“This occasions is crucial in that it affords us an opportunity for benchmark and learn from each other as partner countries. We are confident that deliberations at the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development will enable all the country members to collectively work together in ensuring transformation is realised and we do not lose sight of our goal to empower our people and fastrack inclusivity and equality in our societies,” said Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.
The HLPF will adopt a Ministerial Declaration that embodies a political mandate and provides further guidance regarding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
For media queries:
Hlengiwe Nhlabathi
Cell: +27 0647548426