The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, arrived in South Africa today for talks to forge an agenda on the World Conference against Racism to be held there in August.
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Mr Robinson is in South Africa to draw up an agenda for a conference on racism
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The United Information Centre in Pretoria said Mrs Robinson arrived today and would fly home to Geneva tomorrow.
The former Irish president was scheduled to meet South African President Mr Thabo Mbeki, Foreign Minister Mr Nkosazana Zuma, diplomats and non-governmental groups.
UN officials said an agenda for the August 31st to September 7th talks in Durban would be at the centre of her talks with Mr Mbeki.
The Durban conference has been given the official title of the "World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance".
With thousands of grassroots groups from around the world expected to come to Durban, UN officials say government officials and victims would be forced to confront each other on a variety of issues, including the legacy of colonialism and slavery.
Mrs Robinson is expected to raise her concerns with Mr Mbeki about the deteriorating political situation in neighbouring Zimbabwe. Mr Mbeki is under international pressure to take some form of action against Zimbabwe.
In the past year Mrs Robinson has repeatedly urged the Zimbabwean President, Mr Robert Mugabe, to respect human rights and press freedom in the southern African nation. White farmers, the media and the judiciary in Zimbabwe have been targeted by government supporters.