Africa continued to lag behind in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), President Jacob Zuma told the United Nations general assembly in New York.

This was despite the continent's move to adopt the New Partnership for Africa Development (Nepad), Zuma said in a speech he delivered before the UN on Wednesday.

He acknowledged however, that South Africa had made significant progress in achieving the MDGs.

"Reducing by half the number of people earning less than a dollar a day has been achieved, while the share of those experiencing hunger has also been halved," Zuma said.

He said the country had also achieved its goal of ensuring there was access to primary education for all.

"On official international indicators, South Africa is doing well on MDG3, [which is] to promote and empower women," he said.

"South Africa has recorded impressive progress through the expansion of health infrastructure and improved access to health services for all South Africans.

"On the reduction of child mortality, MDG4, and the improvement of maternal health, MDG5, significant progress has been recorded, but more work remains," he said.

He said both the developing and developed nations had to continue working on fully achieving these goals.

"We have to confront those underlying root causes that continue to make it impossible for our people to have a better life," Zuma said.

Zuma arrived in the US on Sunday.

His office said he would also attend a number of side events forming part of the UN assembly's programme.

Zuma was accompanied by several ministers including Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, 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.