Did you know that South Africa holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council during April 2008?
In this capacity, South Africa is responsible for helping to prepare the agenda of the Council for the month in consultation with other Council members, chairing meetings of the Security Council and acting as the Council's official contact point for UN Member States, the media and civil society. The presidency also offers an opportunity to promote a theme that is of particular regional or national importance.
South Africa has decided to utilise this, its second Presidency of the Security Council, to continue exploring the theme introduced during its first presidency in March 2007 on strengthening the relationship between the United Nations and regional organisations, in particular the African Union, in the maintenance of international peace and security.
The focus of South Africa's interventions will, therefore, be on enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union and on working towards the peaceful resolution of conflict situations in Africa.