President Jacob Zuma on Sunday arrived in the United States, where he would attend the United Nations general assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, the presidency said.

“We are happy that we have done a lot to move towards achieving the MDGs [millennium development goals] and our work continues to promote the key goals of education, health, women’s empowerment, improved quality education including access for girl children and also in promoting public participation in governance,” Zuma said in a statement.

The theme of the UNGA debate is “delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda”.

Zuma is expected to address the meeting on Wednesday.

His spokesman Mac Maharaj said the president would use the occasion to thank the UN and the international community for supporting South Africa as it marked 20 years of democracy.

Zuma would hold a special reception to thank the international community.

He would also attend a number of side events forming part of the UNGA programme, Maharaj said.

Zuma will be accompanied by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, State Security Minister David Mahlobo, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, Co-operative Governance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Deputy Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo. SAPA