International Relations

South Africa Yearbook 2015/16 International Relations

South Africa Yearbook 2015/16 271 International Relations International Relations

According to the South African Constitution, Legislation the President is ultimately responsible for the The DIRCO derives its mandate from the foreign policy and international relations. It is following legislation: the President’s prerogative to appoint heads • The Foreign States Immunities Act, 1981 of mission, receive foreign heads of mission, (Act 87 of 1981), regulates the extent of the conduct state-to-state relations, and negotiate immunity of foreign states from the jurisdiction and sign all international agreements. of the South African courts and provides for International agreements that are not of a matters connected therewith. technical, administrative or executive nature • The Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges will only bind the country after being approved Act, 2001 (Act 37 of 2001), provides for by Parliament. Parliament also approves the the immunities and privileges of diplomatic country’s ratification of or accession to multilateral missions and consular posts and their agreements. All international agreements must members, heads of state, special envoys and be tabled in Parliament for information purposes. certain representatives of the United Nations The Minister of International Relations and (UN) and its specialised agencies, and other Cooperation is entrusted with the formulation, international organisations and certain people. promotion, execution and daily conduct of South • The African Renaissance and International Africa’s foreign policy. Cooperation Fund Act, 2001 (Act 51 of 2001), The Department of International Relations and establishes an African Renaissance and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) overall mandate is to International Cooperation Fund to enhance work for the realisation of South Africa’s foreign cooperation between South Africa and other policy objectives. This is done by: countries, in particular African countries, • coordinating and aligning South Africa’s through the promotion of democracy, good international relations abroad governance, the prevention and resolution • monitoring developments in the international of conflict, socio-economic development and environment integration, humanitarian assistance and • communicating government’s policy positions human resource development. • developing and advising government on policy • International agreements (multilateral and options, creating mechanisms and avenues bilateral): International agreements concluded for achieving objectives by South Africa in terms of sections 231(2) and • protecting South Africa’s sovereignty and 231(3) of the Constitution. territorial integrity • contributing to the creation of an enabling Budget, funding and trade international environment for South African DIRCO’s national budget allocation for 2015/16 business was R6,5 billion. • sourcing developmental assistance Medium-term expenditures, according to the • assisting South African citizens abroad. National Budget 2015/16, was R5 698,6 million DIRCO’s strategic objectives are to: in 2015/16, R5 943,6 million in 2016/17 and • protect and promote South African national R6 543,3 million in 2017/18. interests and values through bilateral and multilateral interactions President Jacob Zuma led the South African delegation • conduct and coordinate South Africa’s interna- to the 7th BRICS Summit held in Ufa, Russia from 8 to 9 July 2015. The theme for the 7th Summit was “BRICS tional relations and promote its foreign policy i Partnership – a Powerful Factor of Global Development”. objectives A number of meetings was held in the run-up to the • monitor international developments and advise summit. These included: government on foreign policy and related • The BRICS Ministers of Finance and Central Bank domestic matters Governors met in Moscow prior to the summit on 7 July • contribute to the formulation of international 2015. law and enhance respect for its provisions • The first meeting of the BRICS Board of Governors of • promote multilateralism to secure a the New Development Bank took place in Moscow on rules-based international system 7 July 2015. • The BRICS Ministers of Trade and Industry met in • maintain a modern, effective department Moscow on 7 July 2015. driven to pursue excellence • The BRICS Business Council and its Working Groups • provide a world-class and uniquely South met in Moscow on 6 July 2015 and then proceeded African state protocol service. to Ufa for a meeting with the BRICS leaders on 9 July 2015.

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Expenditure increased from R485,1 million Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light in 2014/15 to R523,1 million in 2015/16 at a Weapons and efforts aimed at establishing an nominal growth rate of 8%. The increase in arms trade treaty. expenditure is mainly due to the depreciation of the rand against foreign currencies. Role players South Africa increased its presence on the South Africa has key partnerships such as the continent from seven diplomatic and consular Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Africa’s missions in 1994 to 47 in 2015. Consequently, comprehensive partnership with India, and the the country’s trade on the continent increased 39 Korea-Africa Forum. South Africa’s Government times from R11,4 billion in 1994 to R385 billion spares no effort in strengthening the progressive in 2015. The target is half a trillion rand trade forums of the South such as the Non-Aligned with Africa by 2019. As at the end of 2015, 20% Movement (NAM), G77+China, Africa-South of the country’s trade was conducted within the America Summit and the New Asian-African African continent. Strategic Partnership (NAASP). These forums With regard to Asia and the Middle East, South have demonstrated that they are trusted allies Africa’s trade and investment in these regions and partners in South Africa’s aim for a better have grown considerably and continue to do world and Africa. so. In 1994, trade with Asia and the Middle East combined was approximately R45 billion and has African Union (AU) increased to approximately R760 billion for Asia The AU emerged from the Organisation of and R116 billion with the Middle East. Working African Unity (OAU), which was established in together with other government departments, 1963 with a charter signed by 32 countries in DIRCO can achieve a trillion rand trade with this Addis Ababa. The OAU, which was officially region by 2019. disbanded in July 2002, was replaced by the AU with 54 members who pledged to work for closer Foreign policy political integration and unity among African By prioritising Africa and promoting its renewal, countries. development and reconstruction, South Africa Africa will never again tolerate change is contributing to building a better Africa, which of governments through undemocratic and is the central foreign policy goal of the South unconstitutional means. Africa is on a growth African Government. trajectory, which must be maintained to ensure After the democratic elections in 1994, South that the people of African are truly emancipated Africa ceased to be the pariah of the world; it from the wrath of underdevelopment, poverty regained its rightful place in Africa, in the UN and and hunger. The strengthened African Union in the family of nations. South Africa emerged Commission (AUC) is central in driving the as a democratic country into a fundamentally African Agenda. South Africa contributed transformed world with a visionary foreign policy towards the goal of having a strong AUC and its that promotes relations with other countries. structure. Resources were also contributed to hosting the Pan African Parliament. Disarmament, non-proliferation and The continent is engaged in extensive consul- arms control tations on its vision known as Agenda 2063, A primary goal of South Africa’s policy on under the theme “The Africa We Want”. This disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control vision spells out the aspirations of African includes reinforcing and promoting the country people across all sectors and the pledges of as a responsible producer, possessor and trader leaders, which are translated into a “Call to of defence-related products and advanced Action” comprised of a 10-year action plan that technologies. In this regard, the department will contain flagship projects. continues to promote the benefits The heads of state and governments of the that disarmament, non-proliferation and arms AU adopted Agenda 2063 at the 24th Ordinary control hold for international peace and security, Assembly External link held in Addis Ababa, particularly to countries in Africa. Ethiopia, from 30 to 31 January 2015. Regarding conventional weapons, including Each AU member state, including South small arms and light weapons, South Africa Africa, was expected to contribute to this vision actively participates in UN efforts related to through inclusive national consultations by the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the October 2015. With the adoption of the vision, Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Certain member states will have to align their national Conventional Weapons Convention, the UN policies with it through a process of domesti-

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cation, which, in South Africa’s case, entails AU regional economic communities (RECs) harmonising Agenda 2063 with the National The AU is the principal institution responsible Development Plan (NDP). for promoting sustainable development at In pursuit of the continental economic economic, social and cultural level, as well as integration agenda, the following actions have integrating African economies. taken place: the launch of the Southern African RECs are recognised as the building blocks Development Community (SADC), Common of the AU, necessitating the need for their close Market for Eastern and Southern Africa involvement in formulating and implementing all (COMESA) and the East African Community AU programmes. (EAC) Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) in June To this end, the AU must coordinate and 2015 in Egypt. This FTA, which merges 26 take decisions on policies in areas of common countries into a free trade zone with 625 million interest to member states, as well as coordinate people and a total gross domestic product (GDP) and harmonise policies between existing and of US$1,6 trillion, will contribute immensely future RECs, for the gradual attainment of the towards increasing intra-African trade. The AU’s objectives. Tripartite FTA represents an important milestone Seven specialised technical committees are towards the conclusion of negotiations for the responsible for the actual implementation of the establishment of the Continental Free Trade continental socio-economic integration process, Area. together with the Permanent Representatives President Jacob Zuma led the South African Committee. delegation to the 26th Ordinary Session of the South Africa’s development is intertwined AU Assembly (AU Summit) held on 30 and with that of the southern Africa region and the 31 January 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. African continent at large. The country’s efforts The 2016 AU Summit was held under the at ramping up industrialisation should be viewed theme “African Year of Human Rights with a within the overall framework of the SADC particular focus on the Rights of Women”. Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap as The theme was of extreme importance to approved by the SADC Extra-Ordinary Summit South Africa as a country, as it marked 20 years in April 2015. South Africa seeks to industrialise since the adoption of the Constitution of South the regional and continental economies in order Africa (Act 108 of 1996) and the Bill of Rights to develop its own manufacturing capacity. as well as 60 years since the historic women’s In addition, the country seeks to radically alter march to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. the colonial/post-colonial pattern where Africa was a supplier of raw materials. Africa should AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) produce value-added goods for exports into the South Africa plays an important role in efforts to global economy. It is only in this way that we can bring about peace and stability on the continent. address the paradox of a rich-resource continent The AUPSC is the organ of the AU in charge of inhabited by a poverty-stricken population, and enforcing union decisions. Members are elected make a decisive break with the past. by the AU Assembly to reflect regional balance within Africa, as well as a variety of other criteria, New Partnership for Africa’s including capacity to contribute militarily and Development (Nepad) financially to the union, political will to do so, and Nepad, an AU strategic framework for effective diplomatic presence at Addis Ababa. pan-African socio-economic development, is The AUPSC entered into force in December both a vision and a policy framework for Africa 2003, after being ratified by the required in the 21st century. Nepad provides unique majority of AU member states. It is made up opportunities for African countries to take full of 15 member states and is responsible for control of their development agenda, to work the resolution of conflict, peacekeeping and more closely together, and to cooperate more post-conflict reconstruction and development effectively with international partners. (PCRD) in conjunction with the UN. Nepad manages a number of programmes In 2015, the AU Assembly unanimously and projects in six theme areas namely: re-elected South Africa for a second consecutive • agriculture and food security two-year term to the AUPSC. This gives the • climate change and national resource country the opportunity to consolidate the work management done in the past two years, including contributing • regional integration and infrastructure to the implementation of Agenda 2063’s goal of • human development “Silencing the Guns by 2020”. • economic and corporate governance

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• cross-cutting issues, including gender, • achieving the unification of tariffs and capacity development and information and currencies communication technology (ICT). • establishing a free trade zone. South Africa, as one of the initiating countries, The initial member states were Angola, played a key role in the establishment of Nepad Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, and the African Peer Review Mechanism Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, (APRM), and hosts the Nepad Agency and Zambia and Zimbabwe. South Africa became a APRM Secretariat in Midrand, Gauteng. member after 1994. The APRM process is aimed at addressing South Africa has consistently sought to nurture corruption, poor governance and inefficient regional integration at three levels: the Southern delivery of public goods and services to the African Customs Union (Sacu), SADC and the citizens of African countries. It encourages the Tripartite FTA between the SADC, the COMESA adoption of policies, standards and practices that and the EAC. In particular, South Africa has lead to political stability, high economic growth, championed a “developmental regionalism” sustainable development and accelerated approach that combines market integration, regional and continental economic integration cross-border infrastructure development, and through the sharing of experiences and best policy coordination to diversify production and practices, and is important to the sustainabilityof boost intra-African trade. South Africa contributed Nepad. to the development of Sacu’s Five-Point Plan, Nepad remains the main programme of which aims to transform the customs union from reference for intra-African socio-economic and a tariffs and a revenue-sharing agreement to an developmental relations and Africa’s partnerships integrated institution capable of promoting true with international partners such as the European regional economic development. Union (EU-AU) Strategic Partnership, Forum for Work in SADC continues to focus on consoli- Africa-China Partnership, the Group of Seven dating the SADC FTA launched in 2008, before Most Industrialised Nations plus Russia (G8), considering deeper forms of integration in the the Tokyo International Conference on African region. The ongoing negotiations to establish Development, the NAASP and the Organisation the Tripartite FTA will combine the three major for Economic Cooperation and Development. regional economic communities of 600 million Through Nepad, Africa has expanded its people and combined GDP of USD$1 trillion, as development priorities. Development and funding building blocks towards continental integration. in agriculture, ICT, science and technology, Once established, the T-FTA will contribute to infrastructure and education has improved the economies of scale, the building of new distri- quality of life for millions of Africans. bution channels, value addition, and manufac- turing in Africa. Southern African Development One of the key areas to stimulate regional Community economic development has been the finali- The SADC developed from the Southern sation of the SADC Regional Infrastructure African Development Coordination Conference Development Master Plan, which will focus (SADCC), which was established in 1980. It on the following six priority sectors: energy, adopted its current name during a summit held transport, ICT/communications, water, tourism in Windhoek, Namibia, in August 1992. Before and meteorology. 1992, the aim of the SADCC was to forge close In 2014, South Africa was elected to chair economic cooperation with southern African the SADC. South Africa led the SADC Election countries excluding South Africa, to bolster their Observer missions in Mozambique, Botswana economies and reduce their dependence on the and Namibia. South African economy. In February 2015, South Africa hosted an From 1992, when the organisation became Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Double the SADC, its mandate changed to the following: Troika in Pretoria. The Extraordinary Summit • establishing an open economy based considered the political and security situation in on equality, mutual benefit and balanced Lesotho ahead of the February 2015 elections. development A South African Government delegation led • breaking down tariff barriers by the Minister of International Relations and • promoting trade exchanges and mutual Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, investment which also included Trade and Industry Minister • realising the free movement of goods, Rob Davies and Deputy Finance Minister personnel and labour service Mcebisi Jonas, took part in a meeting of the

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SADC Council of Ministers in Gaborone on 14 to undemocratic, unrepresentative and unfair to 15 August 2015. developing nations and small states, which The meeting in Gaborone was in preparation cannot remain beholden indefinitely to the will of for the 35th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads an unrepresentative minority on most important of State and Government held from 17 to 18 issues of international peace and security. August 2015. Other notable achievements that South Africa The theme for the summit was “Accelerating championed are: Industrialisation of SADC Economies through • setting the UN members the target to celebrate Transformation of Natural Endowment and the 70th Anniversary of the UN in 2015, with Improved Human Capital”. a reformed, more inclusive, democratic and representative UNSC United Nations • witnessing the birth of the new State of South The UN occupies the central and indispensable Sudan. role within the global system of governance. The issue of Western Sahara remains an South Africa looks to the UN to advance the important challenge for the AU and for peace global development agenda and address and stability in the region. under-development, social integration, full employment and decent work for all and UN Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) the eradication of poverty globally. Through Ecosoc is a premier organ of the UN responsible participation in multilateral forums, South Africa for economic and social development matters of also upholds the belief that the resolution of the world. international conflicts should be peaceful and in South Africa assumed membership of accordance with the centrality of the UN Charter Ecosoc on 1 January 2013, giving the country and the principles of international law. South an opportunity to be located at the centre of Africa was one of the 51 founding member of the debate on the global development agenda, the UN in 1945. Since then, UN membership including the acceleration of the implementation has grown to 193 states. After being suspended of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). in 1974, owing to international opposition to the The country’s three-year membership term policy of apartheid, South Africa was readmitted ended in 2015. to the UN in 1994 following its transition to democracy. UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) UN General Assembly South Africa is an active participant in key President Zuma, led the South African delegation Unesco governance structures such as the to the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly General Conference and the World Heritage (UNGA 70), which took place in New York in Committee, and has previously served on the the United States of America (USA) from 28 executive board. September to 3 October. Since its return to Unesco, South Africa has The UNGA is the main deliberative, policy- also ratified a number of Unesco conventions making and representative organ of the UN. including the Convention Concerning the Comprising all 193 members of the United Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral Heritage (July 1997), Convention Against discussion of the full spectrum of international Discrimination in Education (March 2000), the issues covered by the Charter of the UN. International Convention Against Doping in Sport (November 2006) and the Convention on UN Security Council (UNSC) the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of South Africa has served on the United Nations Cultural Expressions (December 2006). Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent South Africa also acceded to the Convention member for two terms. More than two-thirds of for the Protection of Cultural Property in the the UNSC’s agenda focuses on African issues. Event of Armed Conflict with Regulations for the During its second term, one of South Africa’s Execution of the Convention (December 2003). biggest achievements was the adoption by the National interaction with Unesco’s various UNSC of resolution 2033 (2012), which South areas of work is coordinated through the South Africa initiated, to formalise, strengthen and African National Commission for Unesco, whose promote the UNSC’s cooperation with regional secretariat is hosted by the Department of Basic organisations, particularly the AUPSC. Close on Education. 70 years of its existence, the UNSC still remains

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UN Human Rights Council body. South Africa played a leadership role in South Africa also takes part in the WHO’s several inter-governmental processes at the Regional Committee for Africa, which convenes UN pertaining to human rights and social annually after the WHA to reflect on the decisions development issues. It is also the current Chair taken at the WHA and plan for the following of the Open-ended Working Group on Private year’s WHA. Military and Security Companies (PMSCs), Through its participation in these structures, which objective is to elaborate a legally binding South Africa contributes to setting international regulatory framework and to ensure that PMSCs norms and making decisions on key issues are held accountable for their activities. regarding global and public health. South Africa is also the current chair of the Adhoc Committee on the Elaboration of Group of 20 (G20) Complementary Standards to the International The 2015 G20 Antalya summit was the 10th Convention for the Elimination of All Forms annual meeting of the G20 heads of government of Racial Discrimination aimed at combating or heads of state. It was held in Antalya, Turkey contemporary forms of racism. on 15 to 16 November 2015. South Africa was one of 14 new member The main theme of the summit was to discuss states elected to serve on the UN Human Rights the world’s biggest political and security crises, Council from January 2014 until December including Syria and the mass migration of 2016. The election coincided with the country’s refugees. celebration of its 20th year of democracy and The summit was mostly focused on political reaffirmed its commitment to the achievement of rather than economic issues due to the terrorist human rights for all its citizens, the citizens of attacks in Paris, in which 132 people were killed. Africa, and the citizens of the world. As an organisation dealing with global issues of financial and economic cooperation, the G20 UN-South Africa Strategic Cooperation decided to change the format of the session. Framework (UNSCF) In addition to the pre-planned theme, the parties The UN-South Africa Strategic Cooperation adopted a declaration on fighting terrorism. The Framework (UNSCF), 2013 – 17, is the overall heads of state expressed their readiness to fight framework for the work of the UN system in terrorism in all its forms, including taking steps to South Africa. DIRCO and the UN Country resist economic terrorism. Team developed the SCF in 2012 through a Some other issues, such as how the world participatory and consultative process. The working together to boost the world economy SCF includes the presentation of the situation were also discussed during the conference. in South Africa overall, as reflected in the New Delegates includes heads of state and Growth Path, the NDP: Vision for 2030, as well representatives from Argentina, Australia, as the Medium Term Strategic Framework and Brazil, Canada. China, France, Germany, India, the 2010 MDGs Country Report. These have Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi informed the identification of four pillars of UN Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, cooperation, which are: inclusive growth and United Kingdom, United States of America as decent work; sustainable development; human well as two representatives of the European capabilities; and governance and participation. Union. Special invitees included representatives In addition, a brief analysis of past cooperation from Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Senegal, Singapore, and lessons learned, including those identified in Spain and Zimbabwe. the 2009 Joint Evaluation of the Role and Contri- In Antalya, G20 leaders committed to bution of the UN System in South Africa, and the undertake a number of concrete steps to boost planned results to be achieved by all partners growth and job creation, by channeling their in the South African context, with the UN contri- efforts towards: butions indicated at the outcomes level. The • bolstering counterterrorism efforts SCF also considers the role of South Africa on • promoting international norms of responsible the continent and globally. state behavior in cyberspace • achieving strong, sustainable and balanced World Health Organisation (WHO) global economic growth South Africa is one of the 194 member states • addressing the global refugee crisis that constitute the WHO. The country takes part • promoting high-standard trade and investment in the annual World Health Assembly (WHA), • strengthening the global financial system which is the WHO’s supreme decision-making • a modern, fair international tax system

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• fighting corruption and promoting transparency China and its Africa Regional Centre will be • advancing global health and the global health established in South Africa concurrently. Further security agenda significant initiatives in respect of strengthening • supporting sustainable development intra-BRICS economic cooperation, included the • addressing climate change and boosting clean signing of the Memorandum of Understanding energy. on Cooperation among BRICS Export Credit The Youth 20 Summit 2015 took place in Istanbul, and Guarantees Agencies that will improve Turkey from 15 to 21 August. The topics of the the support environment for increasing trade Y20 were: opportunities among the BRICS countries. In • Youth Unemployment BRICS, the member states are equal in access, • Youth and Education in the 21st Century shareholding, and representation in leadership • Youth’s Contribution to Peace positions. Russia hosted the group’s seventh summit in Brazil, Russia, India, China, South July 2015. Africa trade alliance (BRICS) South Africa’s BRICS membership will help the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) country and the continent to address its socio- trade alliance economic challenges. The IBSA Dialogue Forum brings together three Some of the BRICS achievements include the large pluralistic, multicultural and multiracial following: societies from three continents as a purely • BRICS Inter-Bank Cooperation Mechanism South-South grouping of like-minded countries, to which the Development Bank of Southern committed to inclusive sustainable development, Africa (DBSA) in pursuit of the well-being for their peoples and • Master Agreement on Extending Credit Facility those of the developing world. The principles, in Local Currency where the DBSA would norms and values underpinning the IBSA have to consider providing the other Member Dialogue Forum are participatory democracy, Banks, respect for human rights, the Rule of Law and • Multilateral Letter of Credit Confirmation the strengthening of multilateralism. Facility Agreement, which will require the The intra-IBSA trade is a clear indication of DBSA to either guarantee performance against the potential and success of IBSA as the initial the obligations to a South African exporter, or trade target of US$ 25 billion by 2015 was likely in the event of South African imports to be overshot given the 2014 intra-IBSA trade • Multilateral Agreement on Infrastructure figure of US$23 billion. IBSA also partnered with Co-Financing for Africa developing countries, especially least-developed • Multilateral Agreement on Green Economy Cooperation Co-Financing The Deputy Minister of International Relations and • The establishment of the BRICS Business Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo, led the South African delegation at the Indian Ocean Rim Association Council and BRICS Think Tanks Council. i (IORA) Blue Economy Conference in Mauritius from 2 – 3 The BRICS grouping achieved another strategic September 2015. milestone in February 2014, when the science, IORA was formally launched in 1997, and is a technology and innovation ministers of the cooperative community of twenty (20) coastal states five countries met in South Africa to formalise bordering the Indian Ocean, and six non-member Dialogue and institutionalise cooperation in science, Partner States. South Africa served as Vice Chair of IORA technology and innovation under the BRICS in October 2015, and will chair the Association from framework. October 2017 – 2019. South Africa, as the previous Chair, The inaugural Blue Economy Conference took place in the context of IORA having decided to make the Ocean successfully brought to fruition all the key Economy/Blue Economy a strategic priority. South Africa outcomes adopted at the 5th BRICS Summit was one of the conference initiating member countries. in Durban 2014. As such, in Brazil, the The conference was an opportune platform to concep- Agreement establishing the New Development tualse the Blue Economy and enable cooperation on Bank and the Treaty for the creation of the exploiting the vast ocean resources. Key features of BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement were agenda entailed analysing the existing capacities of the signed. These agreements signal a historic member states in the following: and seminal moment since the creation of • Fisheries and Aquaculture the Bretton Woods international financial • Renewable Ocean Energy • Seaport and Shipping architecture. The headquarters of the New • Seabed Exploration and Minerals. Development Bank will be located in Shanghai,

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countries and PCRD countries through the IBSA The Deputy Minister of International Relations Facility for Hunger and Poverty Alleviation (IBSA and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo, led Fund) in development projects that will benefit a South African delegation to the 15th Indian those countries. IORA Council of Ministers on 23 October 2015 IBSA continues to play its unique role as a in Padang, Indonesia. body bringing together three democracies of the At this meeting, Indonesia succeeded Australia South from three continents. as IORA Chair for the period 2015 – 2017. Signif- The realisation of a trilateral alliance between icantly, South Africa became the Vice Chair and IBSA stems from three commonalities between a member of the Association’s Troika, along with the three countries, namely: all three countries Indonesia and Australia. South Africa will Chair are vibrant democracies, they share common IORA from 2017 – 2019. views on various global issues, and are substantial emerging economies within their Commonwealth subregions. The modern Commonwealth is a voluntary Apart from promoting South-South dialogue, association of 54 independent member coun- IBSA also fosters inter-regional cooperation. tries. Membership is diverse and includes The engagement process of the IBSA developed and developing countries in Africa, countries takes place on three levels, namely: Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and heads of state and government, government-to- the South Pacific. government and people-to-people cooperation. Since rejoining the Commonwealth in 1994, South Africa has interacted closely with the work Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) of the Commonwealth contributing politically, South Africa is one of the founding member financially and in terms of capacity and expertise states of the IORA, which was launched in to the work of the organisation. Mauritius in March 1997. There are 21 member states and seven dialogue partners; the Indian Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ocean Tourism Organisation and the Indian The Islamic Republic of Iran is chairing the NAM Ocean Research Group has observer status. from 2012 to 2015. The NAM consists of 120 IORA, formerly known as the Indian Ocean member states. It is the largest political grouping Rim Initiative and Indian Ocean Rim Association of countries outside the UN, making it an for Regional Cooperation, consists of coastal important lobby group of developing countries in states bordering the Indian Ocean. global affairs. The objectives of IORA are to: • promote sustainable growth and balanced G77 & China development of the region and member states The Group of 77 (G77) was established on • focus on those areas of economic cooperation 15 June 1964 by 77 developing countries, which provide maximum opportunities for signatories of the “Joint Declaration of the development, shared interest and mutual Seventy-Seven Developing Countries” issued at benefits the end of the first session of the UN Conference • promote liberalisation, remove impediments on Trade and Development, held in Geneva, and lower barriers towards a freer and Switzerland. Although the members of the G77 enhanced flow of goods, services, investment, have increased to 134 countries, including China and technology within the Indian Ocean rim. as the associate member, the original name was IORA members undertake projects for economic retained due to its historic significance. cooperation relating to trade facilitation and The G77 and China is the largest intergovern- liberalisation, promotion of foreign investment, mental organisation of developing countries in scientific and technological exchanges, the UN system, and it provides the means for tourism, movement of natural persons and countries of the South to promote their collective service providers on a non-discriminatory economic interests and enhance their joint basis; and the development of infrastructure negotiating capacity on all major international and human resources, poverty alleviation, economic issues within the UN system and promotion of maritime transport and related promote South-South cooperation. matters, cooperation in the fields of fisheries As a member of the G77 and China, South trade, research and management, aquaculture, Africa participates in the work of the group education and training, energy, IT, health, to ensure its strength, unity and cohesion in protection of the environment, agriculture, pursuance of the vision of a fair and equitable disaster management. multilateral system.

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International relations energy, transport, agriculture, tourism and water. South Africa and Africa With South Africa being Lesotho’s only As South Africa undergoes its second transition, neighbour, the economies of the two countries Africa also continues to rise. Africa’s renaissance are interdependent. South African companies will in years ahead be defined by the Africa have a significant presence in Lesotho and are Agenda 2063. involved in various sectors such as housing, food and beverages, construction, retail, hotels Relations with southern Africa and leisure, banking, and medical services. Angola The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has South Africa and Angola continue to work been in operation for over 20 years and supplies together in maintaining peace, stability, regional South Africa with about 780 million cubic meters integration and the promotion of the SADC of water a year. When fully operational, Phase 2 Agenda. Both countries are still part of respec- of the project will substantially increase the tively the SADC Troika and the SADC Organ on volume of water supplied to South Africa. Politics, Defence and Security Troika. President Zuma attended the inauguration of Angola is one of South Africa’s major trading the Prime Minister-elect Mr Pakalitha Mosisili of partners in Africa with almost 90% of Angolan the Kingdom of Lesotho on 17 March 2015. exports to South Africa being petroleum-related In September 2015, Home Affairs Minister products. Malusi Gigaba announced measures to improve President Zuma undertook an official visit to movement between the Kingdom of Lesotho and Angola in November 2015 to attend the 40th South Africa. This was after bilateral negotiations Anniversary of the Independence of Angola. between the ministers of home affairs of the two countries and their senior officials in Lesotho, Botswana during the official visit of Minister Gigaba from South Africa and Botswana cooperate on a 21 to 22 September. wide range of areas, including transport, trade and investment, health, education, environ- Malawi mental affairs, water, science and technology, South Africa and Malawi share strong historical agriculture, justice, immigration, energy, finance, political, economic and cultural ties and warm culture, security and sport. relations in the context of regional integration In August 2015, President Zuma led the South and intra-Africa trade. African delegation at the 35th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Mozambique Gaborone, Botswana. In May 2015, President Zuma visited Mozambique on a two-day state visit. President Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Zuma and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi On 16 October 2015, President Zuma undertook held successful talks and discussed issues of a working visit to The DRC, where he co-chaired mutual interest; in particular, bilateral, regional a Bi-National Commission (BNC) with his and continental cooperation. counterpart President Joseph Kabila Kabange The issue of cooperation was high on the of The DRC. agenda and both presidents agreed to establish During the BNC Summit, the two heads of a binational commission which will enable state reviewed progress made on bilateral continuous monitoring and implementation of programmes during the first decade of the decisions taken. BNC. These included cooperation projects in In June 2015, a South African business the following fields: politics and governance; delegation visited Mozambique to seek trade defence and security; economy, finance and and investment opportunities. The delegation infrastructure; and social and humanitarian was participating in an Outward Trade and affairs. Investment Mission to Mozambique, organised The 9th SA-DRC BNC was preceded by a by the Department of Trade and Industry. ministerial meeting on 15 October 2015 and a In July 2015, Mozambican delegates took senior officials’ meeting from 13 to 14 October part in a Forestry Trade and Investment mission 2015. hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Lesotho In September 2015 President Zuma returned Bilateral cooperation between South Africa and to Mozambique to unveil the Matola Monument Lesotho includes trade and investment, security, and Interpretative Centre as part of the Heritage

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Month programme, and also to pay homage to Tanzania the sacrifices and contributions made by the South Africa established formal diplomatic Mozambicans towards a free, non-racial and relations with Tanzania in 1994, immediately democratic South Africa. after attaining its freedom. The bilateral relations In October 2015, President Zuma welcomed have been characterised by high-level interaction President Nyusi to South Africa and announced between the two countries aimed at consoli- the launch of the South Africa-Mozambique dating and strengthening political, economic and BNC. social cooperation. South Africa is one of the top 10 major investors in Tanzania and accounts Namibia for approximately 10% of total investment in The economies of South Africa and Namibia Tanzania. South African exports are concentrated are interlinked with South Africa being one of predominantly in the areas of manufacturing, Namibia’s major trading partners. including machinery, mechanical appliances, Namibia imports 80% of its consumables from paper, rubber products, vehicles, iron and steel, South Africa. South African companies have services and technology. a large presence in Namibia and are involved On 31 May 2015, President Zuma, in various sectors such as housing, food and accompanied by Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, beverages, construction, hotels and leisure, participated in the EAC Heads of State Summit in banking, and medical services. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit discussed South Africa and Namibia enjoy strong and the political and security situation in Burundi. fraternal relations that are characterised by Tanzanian President and current Chair of the regular and increasing interaction at all levels. EAC, President Jakaya Kikwete, extended an Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa attended invitation to President Zuma to participate in the the inauguration of President-elect, Dr Hage summit as special guest, in recognition of the Geingob on 21 March 2015 in Windhoek, pivotal role President Zuma had played in the Namibia. The inauguration ceremony coincided negotiations that succeeded in bringing peace with the 25th Independence Anniversary and stability to Burundi following the civil war in celebrations of Namibia. that country. In May 2015, Namibian President Geingob and In October 2015, President Zuma hosted First Lady Monica Geingos met with President President Kikwete as part of a working visit to Zuma as part of a working visit to South Africa. South Africa. The two leaders were expected to discuss bilateral cooperation between Namibia and Zambia South Africa and also to exchange views on South Africa and Zambia maintain solid regional and international developments. economic cooperation as evidenced by the As part of a working visit, President Zuma presence of several South African companies attended the official opening ceremony of the in Zambia. Improved cooperation in a variety Sacu headquarters on 12 November 2015 in of areas such as air services and infrastructural Windhoek, Namibia. development present economic opportunities to the South African private sector and parastatals. Swaziland On 24 February 2015, President Zuma The Kingdom of Swaziland and South Africa received his counterpart, President Edgar share common borders and have very strong Chagwa Lungu of the Republic of Zambia on common cultural links. Since South Africa’s a courtesy visit to South Africa, in the latter’s re-entry to the Commonwealth, relations have capacity a Chairperson of SADC Organ on been conducted at high-commissioner level. Politics, Defence and Security. This was the first Both countries are members of key visit to South Africa by His Excellency President sub-regional, regional and international organi- Lungu since his election on 20 January 2015. sations, including the Sacu, the SADC, the AU, the Commonwealth and the UN. Zimbabwe A bilateral agreement between Swaziland and South Africa and Zimbabwe have a common South Africa provides a mechanism for the two and long history of regional affiliation and countries to cooperate in areas of mutual benefit, cultural ties. Zimbabwe is one of South Africa’s ensuring that healthy relations are maintained main trade partners in Africa and several South and further developed. African companies operate in Zimbabwe in sectors such as mining, tourism, agriculture, banking, manufacturing and retail.

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April 2015 marked the first state visit to South embassy in Addis Ababa. The two countries have Africa by President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe a number of bilateral agreements in place that since 1994. establish a regulatory framework to facilitate South Africa and Zimbabwe elevated bilateral political, economic and social interaction such relations with the signing of five agreements set as an agreement on the avoidance of double to benefit both countries: taxation. The umbrella agreement provides • a BNC Agreement to be led by the two heads for the establishment of a Joint Ministerial of state. Commission that will meet every two years. • a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on diplomatic consultations, which would Indian Ocean islands establish a mechanism for regular diplomatic South Africa’s political, economic and diplomatic talks on issues such as strengthening bilateral relations with the Comoros, Madagascar, relations, security and cooperation in Africa Mauritius and Seychelles remain strong. and other issues of mutual interest In October 2015, Deputy Minister Luwellyn • an agreement on cooperation on water Landers concluded a successful visit to the resources management, including the Republic of Madagascar. establishment of a joint water commission to enhance cooperation in water resources Relations with central Africa planning, development and management in Gabon the spirit of mutual understanding and benefit South Africa and Gabon have a legal framework • an agreement regarding mutual assistance through a cooperation agreement. between customs administrations between the two countries, which would further cooperation Democratic Republic of São Tomé and towards the establishment of a one-stop Príncipe border post Diplomatic relations between São Tomé and • an MoU on trade cooperation. Príncipe and South Africa were established in May 1994. Uganda Relations between South Africa and Uganda Republic of the Congo date back to the time of the struggle against Since the establishment of formal relations, apartheid when Uganda provided support to South Africa and the Repubplic of Congo and solidarity with the South African liberation have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations that movement. are structured through the South Africa-Congo Bilateral cooperation between the countries Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) as a includes trade and investment, defence and mechanism to monitor and guide the implemen- security, agriculture, water and environmental tation of agreements. affairs, social development, public works and science and technology. Equatorial Guinea In August 2015, the president of the Chamber Kenya of Commerce, Forestry and Agriculture of Bioko, South Africa and Kenya occupy key roles in their Gregorio Boho Camo, accompanied by his respective regions on the continent. Relations deputies, received a South African business between the two countries were upgraded to full delegation on an official visit to Equatorial diplomatic status on 12 April 1994. Guinea. In June 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa undertook a working visit to Kenya. Cameroon Cameroon is the economic hub of the Central Ethiopia African Region and exports commodities to Bilateral economic relations with Ethiopia were most countries of the zone. The seaport of revived in 1995, when South Africa opened an Doulla in Cameroon is used to export goods to landlocked countries in the region such as South Africa is the sixth-largest Commonwealth country by Chad and the Central Africa Republic (CAR). population, after India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Many South African companies have already the UK. seized business opportunities there. Cameroon i On 9 March 2015, Commonwealth countries celebrated is a member of the AU, has adopted Nepad Commonwealth Day under the theme “A Young Common- programmes and subscribes to the MDGs. In wealth”. pursuit of South Africa’s regional economic

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integration and developmental agenda for the The United Kingdom (UK) is the largest source of foreign continent, Cameroon has been identified as a direct investment into South Africa, worth R772 billion. strategic partner. There are approximately 115 British companies active in i South Africa and they have created close to 20 000 jobs Guinea in the period January 2008 to April 2014. The UK also remains the largest destination for South African exports President Zuma undertook a working and in Europe, worth R37,6 billion. Imports from the UK into friendly visit to the Republic of Guinea from South Africa are stood at R35.5 billion in 2014. Total trade 12 to 13 January 2015. During this visit, the increased by 13,7% from 2013 to 2014. two presidents exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of common Ambassador of Rwanda, the Military Attaché and interest. other functionaries in the Rwanda Diplomatic At bilateral level, the two heads of state Mission in Pretoria are in place and functioning expressed satisfaction at the excellent normally. relations of friendship and cooperation existing Regrettably, the Rwandan Government between the two countries and reaffirmed their reciprocated disproportionately by expelling all commitment to reinforce and consolidate them South African diplomats except the Ambassador by regular holding of the JCC. thus making the work of the mission in Rwanda difficult as it cannot discharge its services that Central African Republic South Africans and Rwandans normally receive. In April 2014, the AU welcomed the establishment of a UN peacekeeping operation in the CAR. Relations with North and West Africa The UNSC adopted a resolution during the and the Horn of Africa same month authorising the establishment Algeria of a nearly 12 000-strong UN peacekeeping South Africa and Algeria continue to work operation – the UN Multidimensional Integrated hand-in-hand in building a stronger AU and its Stabilisation Mission in the CAR – to protect structures. To this end, regional developments civilians and facilitate humanitarian access in the such as the Mali and CAR crises and the general war-torn country. security situation in the Sahel and Maghreb The mission took over the responsibilities of regions also featured prominently in the consul- the African-led International Support Mission tations with President Bouteflika. from September 2014. The establishment of the In March 2015, the President Abdelaziz new UN mission would mark a new step in the Bouteflika of Algeria hosted President Zuma for international community’s efforts to assist the a three-day state visit. CAR overcome the challenges confronting it. South Africa and Algeria enjoy excellent bilateral cooperation through the framework of Burundi the South Africa-Algeria BNC. President Zuma President Zuma took over from President Nelson and President Bouteflika convened the 6th Mandela in 2000 as the mediator in the Burundi Session of the BNC. peace talks. Then Deputy President Zuma led the protracted but successful mediation process, Saharawi which led to a resolution of the Burundi conflict Formal diplomatic relations were established and the ushering of a new government in 2005. at ambassador level in 2004. South Africa The highlights of the mediation process led by continues to render political support and President Zuma included a key achievement for humanitarian assistance to the Saharawi the African continent, the deployment of South Arab Democratic Republic. Under the African African peacekeeping troops in Burundi for Renaissance Fund, South Africa coordinates seven years, 2003 to 2009. several projects that aim to benefit the Saharawi population. These include a contri- Rwanda bution to a landmine clearance project in the In March 2014, the South African Government east of the territory and construction of a sport expelled four Rwandan diplomats and one from development complex in the territory. Burundi for violating their status. Investigations South Africa’s international solidarity and revealed direct links between these diplomats support for the self-determination of Western and criminal activities. The action targeted only Sahara is based on the following principles: those who violated the Vienna Convention, • The principles of multilateralism and interna- Article 41 and South Africa’s own Diplomatic tional legality in seeking a just, lasting and Immunities and Privileges Act, 2001. The mutually acceptable political solution, which

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will provide for the self-determination of the Niger people of Western Sahara. Following her visit to Mauritania, Minister • The centrality of the AU and UN in the Nkoana-Mashabane undertook a working visit to resolution of the conflict. the Republic of Niger at the end of August 2015. • The Constitutive Act of the AU, in particular the She met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, principle of the sanctity of inherited colonial International Cooperation, African Integration borders in Africa and the right of peoples of and Nigeriens Living Abroad of the Republic former colonial territories to self-determination of Niger, Ms Aïchatou Boulama Kane. The two and independence. ministers evaluated progress made in bilateral • Respect of international human rights law in cooperation between the two countries and the occupied territories, notable the right to discussed various multilateral and regional freedom of association, assembly, movement issues of mutual interest. and expression. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also paid a • Respect of international humanitarian law courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Niger, Mr and support for the provision of humanitarian Brigi Rafini, during her visit. assistance to the Saharawi refugees in a way It is expected that the 2nd Session of the JCC that is predictable, sustainable and timely. will be hosted by Niger during the course of • An end to the illegal exploration and exploi- 2016. tation of the natural resources of Western Sahara in the illegally occupied territory and Egypt the discouragement of the involvement of South Africa and Egypt have created a political foreign companies in such activities. environment that is conducive to business. • Support for the integration and stability of the In April 2015, President Zuma arrived in Cairo, Maghreb Union as a building block of the AU. Egypt, for a working visit to further strengthen and consolidate the strategic bilateral relations Mauritania between the two countries and to reaffirm South South Africa made a constructive contribution in Africa’s commitment through the convening of Mauritania in support of the implementation of the the 9th Session of the JBC. democratic roadmap undertaken by the military During June 2015, Trade and Industry Minister transitional government following the coup d’état Rob Davies, led the South African delegation of August 2005. These efforts contributed to the at the 3rd Summit of the Tripartite in Sharm restoration of constitutional order and stability in el-Sheikh. The summit launched the COMESA- Mauritania leading to South Africa’s support for EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA on 10 June 2015. the lifting of the AU suspension of the country on 10 April 2007. Libya In terms of economic relations, progress has In January 2016, President Zuma received been recorded between the two countries in a delegation from the National Salvation the areas of fisheries and mining. In addition, Government of Libya, led by its Prime Minister, the Economic Cooperation Agreement that was Mr Khalifa Ghwill. The meeting took place ready for signature would facilitate the opening following a request of Prime Minister Ghwill to of trade and investment opportunities for the two brief President Zuma on the latest developments countries. in Libya in light of the signing of the agreement Minister Nkoana-Mashabane undertook a to establish a government of national accord, working visit to Mauritania in August 2015. negotiated under the auspices of the UN. During the visit, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane met with President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz Côte d’Ivoire as well as Mr Yahya Ould Hademine, Prime South Africa is committed to working with the Minister of Mauritania and Ms Khadijetou government of Côte d’Ivoire in its quest for M’Bareck Fall, Minister-delegate for African and national unity and reconciliation. Maghreb Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. South Sudan The ministers discussed the status of bilateral South Sudan and South Africa upgraded the relations between South Africa and Mauritania missions in their respective capitals to fully and conducted the signing of agreement on the fledged embassies. By January 2014, South establishment of a JCC, as well as an MoU on Africa had trained more than 1 600 government regular bilateral consultations. officials from South Sudan as part of a capacity- building programme within the context of the AU

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PCRD initiative. 2015 was designated as the “Year of China in South Africa”. Various engagements with senior Sudanese The “Year of South Africa in China” coincided with South and South Sudanese officials to discuss the i Africa’s celebration of 20 years of freedom and democracy. negotiation process illustrated South Africa’s ongoing support to the AU negotiations between country on its road towards a prosperous and Sudan and South Sudan over post-independence stable democracy. issues. In January 2014, the South African Government Nigeria welcomed the signing of Agreements on the Nigeria is considered one of South Africa’s Cessation of Hostilities and the Status of most important partners in pursuing the vision Detainees, under the auspices of the Intergov- of African renewal. As two of the strongest ernmental Authority on Development, by the economies in Africa, cooperation between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan two countries is pivotal to the growth of the and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ continent. Army. South Africa views the signing of the In May 2015, President Zuma attended the agreements as key developments in resolving inauguration of the President-Elect, General the political differences in South Sudan and Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. crucial moves to bring the country back onto the In October 2015, Nigerian Vice President, Prof. road to development and stability. Yemi Osinbajo, visited South Africa, where he Deputy President Ramaphosa undertook met with President Zuma and Deputy President a working visit to South Sudan in June 2015, Ramaphosa to discuss issues of common during which he hailed steps taken to reunite interests to both Nigeria and South Africa. the ruling party Sudanese Peoples Liberation In December 2015, President Buhari led a Movement (SPLM) South Sudan and to end the delegation to Johannesburg, South Africa, for war in this country. the China-Africa Forum. Deputy President Ramaphosa returned In March 2016, President Zuma undertook to South Sudan in January 2016, where he a two-day state visit to Nigeria. The visit’s aim represented President Zuma at the Conference was to strengthen the existing bilateral political, of the South Sudanese Liberation Movement. economic and social ties between the two During October 2015, South Sudanese countries. President Salva Kiir undertook an extended official visit to South Africa for bilateral talks Ghana with President Zuma. According to presidential South Africa and Ghana established formal spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny, President Kiir diplomatic relations on 25 May 1994. visited South Africa to brief the President Zuma In August 2015, the Deputy Minister of Trade on the progress made in the implementation of and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina led a the peace agreement and reunification of the delegation of South African businesspeople for three factions of the ruling SPLM, which split the Outward Selling and Investment Mission into three separate groups in 2013 after internal taking place in Accra, Ghana. debates about democratic reforms turned The objective of the mission was to create violent. market access of South African value-added products and services into Africa and also to Sudan increase trade and investment, as well as to President Zuma undertook a working and strengthen bilateral relations between South friendly visit to the Republic of the Sudan at Africa and Ghana. the end of January 2015. This visit was within the framework of the consolidation of solidarity, Burkina Faso friendship and brotherly cooperation which has South Africa and Burkina Faso are working always existed between the Sudan and South on a draft MoU on economic and technical Africa. cooperation, and a draft agreement between the During this visit, the two presidents exchanged Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina views on bilateral, regional and international Faso and Business Unity South Africa. issues of common interest. Cape Verde Somalia Bilateral discussions on a General Cooperation In January 2013, South Africa pledged its Agreement, lead to the signing of a JCC, early support for Somalia’s new government and the in 2013.

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Senegal • pursue opportunities to cooperate in South Africa and Senegal continue to play infrastructure construction projects such as an important role in promoting peace and roads, railways, ports, power generation, stability through participating in peacekeeping airports and housing. operations in their regions. The overall aim of South Africa’s approach was to use this mechanism to address inequality, Tunisia poverty and unemployment, through enhancing The South African Embassy in Tunisia was bilateral economic relations. officially opened in 1994. South Africa and South Africa has taken over co-chairmanship Tunisia enjoy a very healthy and mutually of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation beneficial political and economic relationship. (FOCAC) from Egypt, on behalf of Africa, for two more years, ending in 2018. The forum is one of Relations with Asia and the Middle East the most strategic partnerships between Africa The People’s Republic of China and its development partners. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the The Minister of Tourism, Mr Derek Hanekom, establishment of diplomatic relations between visited China to engage with the country’s travel the South Africa and the People’s Republic of and tourism business leaders as part of SA China. Tourism’s roadshow in the country in April 2015. South Africa is China’s largest trading partner The visit to China was followed by a roadshow in Africa and the bilateral trade volume accounts to India. for more than a quarter of China-Africa trade. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane hosted her As per to the Beijing Declaration, China and counterpart, Mr Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign South Africa will work together to improve the Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, for structure of bilateral trade by encouraging the bilateral consultations in Pretoria in April 2015. trade of high value-added manufactured goods The consultations focused on the implemen- and increasing China’s investment in South tation of the 5 – 10 Year Strategic Framework on Africa. The two sides will continue to deepen Cooperation signed in 2014 and preparations for their cooperation in infrastructure development, the upcoming FOCAC event. including the construction of roads, railways, On 3 September 2015, President Zuma ports, power plants, airports and housing. participated in a commemorative event in Beijing South Africa-China bilateral relations have to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the enjoyed phenomenal progress in the space of occupation of China and World War II during a 16 years and have grown from a partnership working visit to China. to a strategic partnership and subsequently to The President was accompanied by Minister a comprehensive strategic partnership. South Nkoana-Mashabane and Ms Thembisile Majola- Africa and China have committed to building, Embalo, Deputy Minister of Energy. developing and strengthening relations based on In October 2015, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane shared principles of friendship and mutual trust; also hosted Mr Yang Jiechi, State Councillor of equality and mutual benefit; coordination; mutual the People’s Republic of China, for bilateral learning; and working together for development. consultations. State Councillor Yang was The objectives of the Joint Working Group on on an official visit to South Africa to discuss Cooperation are to: preparations for the upcoming 2nd Summit of • achieve a more equitable trade balance the FOCAC. • encourage trade in manufactured value-added The Johannesburg Summit and the 6th products Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC was • increase inward-bound trade and investment held in Johannesburg from 3 to 5 December missions 2015. Heads of State and government, heads • finalise the working group on trade statistics of delegation, the chairperson of the AUC and • increase investment in South Africa’s manufac- ministers of foreign affairs and ministers in turing industry charge of economic cooperation from China and • promote value-adding and beneficiation 50 African countries attended the Summit and activities in close proximity to the source of Ministerial Conference, respectively. raw materials The establishment of the BRICS Development • cooperate and provide mutually beneficial Bank in 2014 to be headquartered in Shanghai technical support in the areas of the green and the decision to locate its African Regional economy, skills development and industrial Centre in South Africa not only raised the level financing of cooperation between China and South Africa

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in addressing global challenges, but it was Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in another clear indicator of South Africa’s growing December 1993, a solid bilateral relationship has developed significance in driving the African Agenda. between South Africa and Vietnam, reflected among others, i in the 13 bilateral legal instruments concluded between China regards South Africa as a key partner in advancing its relations with Africa. While the two them. According to official South African trade statistics, total countries are strikingly different in their cultural, trade between South Africa and Vietnam is growing year-on- political and socio-economic orientation, they year and amounted to R13,4 billion in 2014 (up from R11,2 are very close in the positions they take on key billion in 2013) out of a total of just under R107 billion with issues affecting mankind. Both appreciate the the ten member states of the Association of South East importance of strengthening cooperation based Asian Nations (ASEAN). on respect for each other’s core values and interests. creation, industrial development, human resource development and innovation as part of Mongolia implementing South Africa’s NDP. South Africa and Mongolia could work together to meet that country’s international commitments Republic of Korea (ROK) on climate change. Formal diplomatic relations between South Africa Mongolia’s vast coal reserves offer an and the ROK were established in December opportunity for collaboration on clean coal 1992. Increasingly the focus of the bilateral technologies. South Africa’s coal-to-liquid relationship is on economic and business links. technology would mitigate and possibly reduce The ROK is South Africa’s fourth-largest the country’s contribution to greenhouse gases. trading partner in Asia, while South Africa is the ROK’s largest trading partner in Africa. Trade East Asia between the two countries encompasses a wide Japan variety of products ranging from minerals to In 2015, Japan and South Africa celebrated sophisticated high-technology electric products. 105 years of official relations. Japan is South Africa’s third-largest trading partner with the two Democratic People’s Republic of Korea countries cooperating in various fields such as (DPRK) training and skills development. South Africa established diplomatic relations The Tokyo International Conference on African with the DPRK in August 1998. The two Development is a strategic partnership between countries enjoy cordial relations, which date Africa and Japan that was launched in 1993, back due to the historic support that the DPRK with a view to serve as a consultative forum for provided during the struggle against colonialism development assistance to Africa. and apartheid. The South African ambassador to In August 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa China is also accredited to the DPRK’s capital, visited Japan. The three-day working visit was Pyongyang. aimed at promoting South Africa as a preferred Economic relations between the two countries investment destination and reassuring Japanese remain limited owing to the sanctions imposed investors that South Africa was open for by the UNSC because of the DPRK’s nuclear business. programme, which affects the ongoing tension in The delegation included several Cabinet the Korean Peninsula. ministers, deputy ministers, senior government officials and the CEOs of South African Central Asia companies. There is no South African representation in In February 2016, Deputy President Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ramaphosa met with the Japan business Kyrgystan, but the South African ambassador federation, Keidanren, in Cape Town. Keidanren in Turkey is accredited to these countries on a (abbreviation of Keizai Dantai Rengōkai or non-resident basis. the Federation of Economic Organisations in English) is Japan’s most influential business Kazakhstan federation, representing the top Japanese Kazakhstan and South Africa established multinational companies with the highest diplomatic relations in March 1992. The South volumes of global business. African Embassy in Kazakhstan was opened The meeting explored how investment in December 2003 in Almaty, and relocated to and trade between South Africa and Japan Astana in February 2008. can contribute to key objectives such as job South Africa and Kazakhstan have substantial

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economic interests, which overlap in several to May 2015. important areas such as trade, the production President Zuma attended the third India-Africa and collaborative marketing of strategic minerals, Summit Forum which took place in New Delhi technology exchange, machine production, as in October 2015. The Delhi Declaration and well as oil procurement for South Africa. the India-Africa Framework for the Strategic Cooperation was adopted by 41 heads of state Azerbaijan and government from the African continent Diplomatic relations between South Africa and and others who attended the Third India-Africa Azerbaijan were established in 1991. Forum Summit. The South African Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, These outcome documents cover areas such is accredited on a non-residential basis to as economic development; trade and industry; Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan opened a new embassy agriculture; energy; the blue/ocean economy; in South Africa in January 2012. infrastructure; education and skills development; health; and peace and security. Turkey The value of trade conducted in 2015 between South Africa’s major exports to Turkey comprise India and South Africa was worth R94 billion. mineral products, base metals, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, Pakistan chemical and allied products, vehicles, aircraft, Pakistan and South Africa enjoy cordial, bilateral iron and steel, organic chemicals, ores, slag and relations. ash. South Africa views Pakistan as an important The Deputy Minister of Small Business role-player in the international arena and South Development, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, led a Africa welcomes the strengthening of democracy business delegation of about 35 businesspeople in Pakistan. South Africa has identified to Turkey in July 2015. additional avenues of cooperation regarding The Outward Trade and Investment mission law enforcement issues, an Extradition Treaty, seeked to encourage local manufactures to an Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in explore exports opportunities and create jobs Criminal Matters, an MoU on Cooperation in locally whilst attracting investments into the Combating the Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics, country. Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals. South Asia South Africa’s economic strategy is strongly Sri Lanka focused on deepening trade and investment Bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and South linkages with the south, particularly with Africa has seen a steady increase in growth in countries that offer potential for future growth both exports and imports. and where synergies and complementaries in In February 2015, Deputy Minister Mfeketo products and technologies exist. visited Sri Lanka, where representatives of the In South Asia, South Africa enjoys cordial two countries signed agreements on tourism relations with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, cooperation and cooperation between the South Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan and the African and Sri Lankan Zoological Gardens. Maldives. At the same time, the Fifth Partnership Forum between South Africa and Sri Lanka took place India in Colombo. South Africa and India enjoy strong historical The visit was followed up with Deputy relations that have been formalised through Minister Mfeketo’s series of meetings with various bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. representatives of International Tamil Diaspora The two countries share membership of organisations from Sri Lanka, held in May 2015 multilateral groupings such as BRICS, IBSA and in London, United Kingdom. the G20. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane hosted and Bangladesh and Nepal co-chaired with the Indian Minister of External Deputy Minister Mfeketo paid a working visit to Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Ms Sushma Bangladesh and Nepal in August 2015. It was the Swaraj, the ministerial engagement of the 9th first ever visit by a South African Deputy Minister session of the South Africa-India JMC in Durban of International Relations and Cooperation in May 2015. The ministerial engagement follows to both countries since the establishment of the meetings of the sub-committees from March diplomatic relations in 1994.

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The Third Senior Officials Meeting between Since 1994, Malaysia has assisted more than South Africa and Bangladesh took place on 300 South Africans in their studies that range from 19 August 2015 in Dhaka. This event was short courses to full scholarships for degrees in co-chaired by the Deputy Director-General for engineering and information technology. Asia and Middle East, Dr Anil Sooklal together A number of South African universities have with his Bangladeshi counterpart. signed MoUs with their Malaysian counterparts. The visits to Bangladesh and Nepal highlighted In August 2015, Deputy Minister of Tourism the importance that South Africa holds in further Tokozile Xasa visited Malaysia for a series of developing and consolidating bilateral and tourism roadshows. multilateral relations with both countries. Malaysia is the fourth largest new investor into Both Bangladesh and Nepal have significant the African continent. multilateral profiles, being major troop contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. Singapore and Indonesia Nepal is host to the Secretariat for the South In April 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and attended the Africa-Asia Summit and the Bangladesh hosts the permanent secretariat of commemoration of the historic summit in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Bandung, Indonesia in 1955, which brought Technical and Economic Cooperation. together Africa and Asia to push forward the Bangladesh has the potential of becoming struggle for liberation and self-determination. a significant trading partner for South Africa. Bilateral trade and economic relations between Vietnam South Africa and Bangladesh have sharply Over the past 20 years, the relationship increased in recent years. In 2014, South African between South Africa and Vietnam has grown exports to Bangladesh almost doubled over the into a multifaceted relationship with growing figure of 2013 to reach R852 million. Bangladesh cooperation in many fields, rapid growth in imports into South Africa reached a new high of people-to-people links and strong state-to-state R745 million in 2014. and government-to-government relations, which The visit to Nepal underscored the continued includes cooperation at many levels – bilateral, commitment of the South African Government as well as multilateral. towards supporting their internal reconciliation Political relations with Vietnam are strong, and nation-building endeavours. In Nepal, a with a substantial exchange of high-level visits courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs between the two countries over the past few was foreseen as well as interaction with the years. Nepal Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The protection of South Africa’s wildlife, partic- the Constituent Assembly, the Secretariat ularly the rhino, has been high on the agenda of of the South Asian Association for Regional discussions with Vietnam. Cooperation and the Nepalese Chamber of Regarding cooperation in the field of wildlife Commerce and Industry. protection, the two countries shared concerns about the illegal trade in protected wildlife South-East Asia species and products, especially rhino, and Strengthening South-South relations remains an agreed to work together to put an end to this important pillar of South African’s foreign policy, issue. especially in Asia, a region that has surpassed In June 2015, Deputy Minister Mfeketo led the EU as the country’s biggest trading partner. a South African government delegation to Vietnam, where she co-chaired the 3rd meeting Thailand of the South Africa-Vietnam Partnership Forum During the past two decades, Thailand has in Hanoi with her Vietnamese counterpart, Mr Vu become South Africa’s biggest trading partner Hong Nam. in Southeast Asia and South Africa has become Deputy President Ramaphosa hosted Mr Thailand’s biggest trading partner on the Hoang Trung Hai, Deputy Prime Minister of continent. Vietnam in Cape Town on an official visit to Thailand is also the second most important South Africa in August 2015. destination for South African tourists. During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang paid a courtesy call on President Zuma and held Malaysia discussions with Deputy President Ramaphosa Malaysia remains the largest investor in South to discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation Africa from the Southeast Asian region. issues of mutual interest.

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In August 2015, the Minister of Science and management, defence relations and customs Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, signed the first cooperation. MoU on science, technology and innovation with Australia is the sixth-largest export destination Vietnam in Pretoria. The Vietnamese Deputy for South African goods. The majority of exports Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Tran from South Africa to Australia are finished goods. Quoc Khanh, signed the MoU on behalf of Exports of high-quality passenger motor vehicles Vietnam. head the list. The MoU paves the way for a bilateral With its renewed focus on Africa, Australia agreement on cooperation in science, technology has committed to work together with the African and innovation between the two countries. continent to address development challenges in such areas as human resource development, Brunei-Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, mining and resources management and and Timor-Leste infrastructure development. South Africa’s political relations with Brunei- South Africa and Australia work closely Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and together for the benefit of third countries such as Timor-Leste are cordial and friendly. Zimbabwe in the areas of sanitation and revenue collection. Myanmar South Africa and Australia also work closely Like the rest of the international community, together at multilateral level in organisations and South Africa has welcomed the political reform institutions such as the Commonwealth, the UN process underway in Myanmar and has and the Cairns Group particularly on issues that supported all efforts aimed at opening up the affect African. political space for participation by all the people of Myanmar through the political parties of their New Zealand choice. At bilateral level, South Africa and New Zealand enjoy close cooperation in business, tourism, Philippines agriculture, disarmament, fisheries, environ- The South African government established mental protection, indigenous people and human formal diplomatic relations with the Philippines rights issues. in November 1993. The Philippine Embassy in In sport, South Africa and New Zealand have Pretoria was established in June 1994. South strong ties – especially in rugby and cricket, but Africa, in turn, established an embassy in Manila in recent years also soccer. in December 2004. The two countries enjoy productive Relations between South Africa and the cooperation at multilateral level. Both countries Philippines are strong both at bilateral and are members of the Valdivia Group (Group of multilateral levels. Both countries are influential Temperate Southern Hemisphere Countries in organisations of the south, including the NAM on Environment), which aims to promote the and the G77+China. Southern Hemisphere’s views in international On the economic front, both countries have environmental meetings and enhance scientific undertaken efforts to enhance bilateral trade and cooperation. commercial relations. The two countries also enjoy a close working In May 2015, the Department of Trade and relationship within the context of the Antarctic Industry led a number of business delegates Treaty and Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries on an Outward Selling and Investment Mission Agreement, and interact regularly within the to Vietnam and the Philippines. Delegates context of the World Trade Organisation and the included manufacturers and exporters in the Cairns Group. agro-processing, chemicals, mining or minerals In January, President Zuma held a bilateral and capital equipment sectors. meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr John Key, at the margins of the World Australasia and the Pacific islands Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Australia Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. South Africa and Australia have a history of The two leaders discussed a range of issues of productive cooperation across a range of common interest between South Africa including sectors and issues, including fisheries pro- the need to strengthen economic relations and tection, mining, law enforcement, sport, tourism, trade. education and training in fields such as ICT, President Zuma congratulated the Prime public administration, mining and resources Minister on New Zealand’s election to the UNSC

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and said that South Africa looked forward to ministers of Trade and Industry and Energy, as working with New Zealand on peace and security well as senior officials from Trade and Industry, as well as other issues. Energy, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and National Treasury. Relations with the Middle East In November 2015, Deputy President South Africa’s relationship with the Arab States Ramaphosa concluded an official visit to Iran. remains cordial, with ongoing engagements at various political and economic levels that Saudi Arabia are anchored by the strategic objective of Diplomatic relations between South Africa and strengthening South-South relations. Saudi Arabia were formalised during a visit by former President Nelson Mandela in November United Arab Emirates (UAE) 1994. Two missions were established in the South Africa is committed to maintaining kingdom during March of 1995: an embassy with cordial diplomatic and trade relations with the a chargé d’affaires in the capital Riyadh and a UAE. South African companies have made a consulate-general in the commercial capital of major contribution to the development of the Jeddah. UAE economy, with over 200 of them having The consulate-general is responsible for representative offices in the UAE. looking after the needs of South African pilgrims The potential for greater interaction between performing Hajj and Umrah duties in the holy the two countries is enhanced through the 56 cities of Makkah al Mukarramah and Medina al weekly flights between South Africa and the Munawarra. UAE. South Africa and the UAE have signed Saudi Arabia is a fellow G20 member and five bilateral agreements, which provide the remains South Africa’s largest supplier of crude framework for cooperation. oil. At the end of August 2015, Minister Nkoana- South Africa and Saudi Arabia’s economic and Mashabane concluded a successful visit to the political relations received a significant boost UAE, where she led a government delegation at following a successful state visit by President the inaugural South Africa-United Arab Emirates Zuma in March 2015. JCC. President Zuma met with Saudi King Salman President Zuma led a high-level delegation on bin Abdul Aziz and he was given the First Order, a working visit to the UAE on 28 March 2016. the highest award the King bestows on a foreign national. Iran On 27 March 2016, President Zuma again led South Africa and Iran have established a Joint a high-level delegation on a state visit to Saudi Bilateral Commission (JBC) to allow for a Arabia. high-level review of existing bilateral relations Bilateral relations between the two countries and to consider ways in which these could be are managed through the Joint Economic expanded. Commission, which held its 7th session in March The JBC, chaired by South Africa’s Minister 2016 in Cape Town. of International Relations and Cooperation and Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Qatar meets alternatively in South Africa and Iran Diplomatic relations between South Africa and biannually. The JBC is regarded as one of South the State of Qatar were established in 1994, Africa’s most successful and longest-running strengthened by official visits to Qatar by former bilateral mechanisms. Several South African presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, companies are involved in major projects in Iran. as well as by visits of several cabinet ministers. South Africa maintains a friendly relationship In terms of trade relations, Qatar has with Iran, even though the international traditionally enjoyed a healthy trade surplus, sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic primarily owing to its export of crude oil and have made trade increasingly difficult. petrochemicals to South Africa. In May 2015, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, In May 2016, President Zuma undertook a along with a South African delegation, undertook state visit to Qatar to strengthen and elevate a visit to Iran for the 12th Meeting of the JCC bilateral relations between the countries. between the countries. The President met with the Emir of the State Deputy Minister Mfeketo led a high-level of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, for delegation to Iran on a working visit in August bilateral talks on trade and economic relations 2015. She was accompanied by the deputy between the two countries and critical aspects

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related to global and regional security and South Africa and the UAE enjoy strong bond of friendship stability. and strategic bilateral relations characterised by the He also paid a courtesy call on Father Emir exchange of several high level visits, a high level of trade i and economic interaction, multiple daily flights between of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa the UAE and three South African cities and a large South Al-Thani. African expatriate community in the UAE. South Africa’s political and economic relations Total trade between the two countries increased from with Qatar have grown significantly over recent R13 billion in 2011 to R27 billion in 2015. By 2015, a total years and have become more diverse. of 14 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from the UAE Trade between the two countries has increased were recorded representing almost R3 billion. Between from R4 billion in 2012 to R7 billion in 2015. January 2003 and June 2015, a total of 27 FDI projects from South Africa to UAE were recorded, representing Kuwait a total capital investment of R5,06 billion ranging from Kuwait has become an increasingly important construction, financial, IT services, hospitality and retail. market for South African exports and several Kuwaiti companies have made major aspirations of the Palestinian people in their multimillion-rand investments in the construction struggle to achieve freedom and independence. and development of hotels and real estate in The South African Government continues South Africa, as well as investments on the to play a role on its own, through the AU and Johannesburg Stock Exchange. with other partners internationally to advance In November 2015, the Department of Trade peaceful negotiations between the Palestinians and Industry led a delegation of business- and Israelis aimed at encouraging both sides people on an Outward Trade and Investment to partake in direct talks that will lead to a Mission to Kuwait and Qatar. The business- permanent resolution of that conflict. people represented companies that operate in South Africa maintains an embassy in Tel Aviv, agro-processing, chemicals, metals fabrication Israel and a representative office in Ramallah, and built environment. Palestine while both the Palestinians and Israelis have embassies in Pretoria. It is through these Iraq channels that South Africa interacts directly with In March 2016, ACCORD (The African Centre the two parties in conflict. for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes) Furthermore, President Zuma appointed hosted a high level delegation of visiting parlia- Former Minister, Dr Zola Skweyiya and former mentarians from Iraq who were on a study tour Deputy Minister, Aziz Pahad as his Special of South Africa. The tour was arranged by the Envoys to the Middle East Peace Process. UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and the Institute The Envoys have visited Palestine and Israel of Justice and Reconciliation, which is based in including other neighbouring countries in the Cape Town. The tour included meetings in Cape region to exchange views on a possible way Town, Durban and Gauteng.The South African forward. The envoys have also been meeting Foreign Ministry supported and facilitated the with different Embassies accredited to South visit. Africa and different interest groups in pursuance of their mandate. Yemen South Africa continues to promote the peaceful Relations between South Africa and Yemen are resolution of the Middle East conflict in SADC, cordial, and the two countries share membership the AU, the Non-Aligned Movement, the UN and of the IORA and the NAM. other international forums, including BRICS.

Arab-Israel peace process Palestine South Africa supports peace between Israel and South Africa and Palestine have enjoyed warm the Arab world, which must involve an end to the relations since the inception of democracy, and illegal occupation by Israel of Arab land, namely the establishment of official diplomatic relations in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon, which has led between a democratic South Africa and Palestine to conflict and violence between the peoples of in 1995. the region over the last six decades. Bilateral relations between Palestine and South Africa does not have a policy aimed at South Africa are facilitated through a JCC boycotting Israel, but discourages people from that was established in 1995. Progress in visiting Israel because of the country’s continued establishing bilateral cooperation agreements occupation of Palestinian land. proceeded apace, resulting in the signing of nine South Africa remains committed to the bilateral cooperation agreements and during

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President Abbas’ State Visit, three agreements projects with these. The USA is a major source were signed, namely: of official development assistance (ODA) • an agreement for the establishment of a JCC to South Africa, contributing approximately • an MoU on Political Consultations US$541 million in ODA per year. The major area • an agreement on Higher Education and of focus is health and AIDS in particular. Under Training. the USA President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS In addition, South Africa supports international Relief (Pepfar), South Africa is the 15th largest efforts aimed at the establishment of a viable recipient of foreign aid from the USA. Palestinian State, existing side by side in peace South Africa has been very successful in using with Israel within internationally recognised Pepfar funding to address HIV and AIDS. borders, based on those existing on 4 June The USA will reduce its annual assistance 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. from US$484 to US$250 by year 2017. The transition plan has a five-year timeline. Syria The USA regards South Africa as a global Deputy Minister Mfeketo met with Dr Fayssal model because it is the first country to go from a al Mekdad, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and development assistance-led effort to a country-led Expatriates for the Syrian Arab Republic for approach. Both countries committed that there bilateral consultations in Cape Town in August would be no interruption of treatment and care 2015. services during the transition of direct service The discussions focused on bilateral relations provision to the South African Government. The and the renewing of the Protocol on Cooperation USA understands the importance of the African between South Africa and Syria for another five Agenda to South Africa, particularly regional years. Diplomatic relations between Syria and economic integration, which is the cornerstone South Africa were established in June 1994. of continental integration. Initiatives such as Both countries maintain resident diplomatic USA trilateral cooperation between the USA and missions in each other’s country. the SADC region and the rest of the continent in the area of food security have been pivotal to Relations with the Americas this relationship. United States of America Formal relations between South Africa and the Canada USA go back as far as 1789, when the USA Canada has a long-standing and wide-ranging opened a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa track record of constructive engagement, at continues to place a high premium on high-level bilateral and multilateral levels, in Africa, ranging political exchanges. from peacekeeping and development aid to The USA is a major economic partner for foreign direct investment (FDI). South Africa and continues to feature high on About two thirds of South African exports to the list of trade and investment partners. There Canada relate to minerals and mining equipment, are about 600 companies from the USA trading with agricultural and chemical products making in South Africa, which provide over 120 000 local up the rest. Canada views South Africa as a jobs. These companies contribute about 30% gateway into the SADC and the rest of Africa. of all corporate social investment for corporate Canada’s involvement in South Africa focuses social projects. on strengthening service delivery, HIV and AIDS The USA is South Africa’s third-largest trading and rural development. partner and 98% of South Africa’s exports In 2014, it was announced that the Canadian enter the USA market duty-free and quota-free trade finance agency Export Development under the current dispensation of Agoa and the Canada would open its first African office in Generalised System of Preferences. Johannesburg in 2015. While the USA is a significant market for South Canada chose Johannesburg as the location Africa, South Africa is the USA’s biggest market for its first Export Development Canada (ECD) in Africa. South Africa is also an important office because of the city’s economic position investor in the USA, with the announcement as the financial gateway to southern Africa. The of an investment by Sasol in Louisiana, which ECD, through its Johannesburg-based team, could prove to be one of the biggest investments would focus on connecting more Canadian in the history of the USA. businesses, particularly small and medium- The USA is an important supporter of South sized enterprises (SMEs), to the growing supply Africa’s domestic priorities and has made an chains within intra-African trade. South Africa effort to align its assistance programmes and is Canada’s most important commercial and

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political partner in Africa and is the only country South Africa maintains the view that the Rio+20 in Africa – and one of only 20 around the world Conference, which took place in Brazil, helped – to be identified by the Canadian govern- to ensure the issue of sustainable development ment’s recent Global Markets Action Plan as an remained a top priority on the agenda of the UN emerging market with broad Canadian interests. and the international community. On-the-ground support in southern Africa would help Canadian SMEs to boost their exports and Argentina create jobs and opportunities at home. Argentina is South Africa’s third largest trading partner in the Latin American and Caribbean Mexico region after Brazil and Mexico. Regular Bilateral relations between South Africa and ministerial meetings ensure continuous Mexico are good and the two countries work improvement in bilateral ties. closely together in multilateral forums on issues such as South-South cooperation and nuclear The Caribbean disarmament. South Africa is Mexico’s biggest South Africa enjoys cordial relations with the trading partner in Africa. countries of the Caribbean. The majority of inhabitants of the Caribbean are of African Latin America and the Caribbean descent and have strong historical and cultural South Africa’s bilateral relations with Latin America links to the continent. and the Caribbean continue to advance the South Africa’s endeavour in conjunction with development agenda of the South, and strengthen the AU and Caricom to strengthen cooperation cooperation among developing countries through between Africa and the African Diaspora in the active participation in groupings of the south at Caribbean has given added impetus to bilateral regional, inter-regional and multilateral levels. and multilateral relations. In this regard, the need to build stronger and South Africa attaches importance to balanced relationships with Latin American and strengthening its relations with the Caribbean Caribbean countries is of particular importance. and developing common positions on global South Africa has observer status in Caribbean issues such as access to the markets of Community and Common Market (Caricom) and the industrial north, reform of international acts as the region’s voice in the G20. institutions and promoting the development In June 2015, Deputy Minister Landers engaged agenda and protection of small island states. with the heads of mission (ambassadors, high Deputy Minister Landers undertook a commissioners and/or their representatives) high-level official visit to five Caribbean states of the Latin America and Caribbean Group in June 2015. (GRULAC) accredited to South Africa in a The visit underscored the cordial relations Discussion Forum. The discussions focused on South Africa enjoys with the governments and opportunities for South Africa in Latin America people of Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and explored ways to expand relations between and Tobago, and Haiti. South Africa and GRULAC. The visit aimed to promote and sustain linkages between South Africa and the Caribbean in the Latin America important areas of trade and investment, science The developing countries in Latin America and technology, travel and tourism, communi- continue to play an important role in interna- cation and transportation infrastructure, energy, tional political bodies and formations such as information and communication technology and the NAM, the G20 (Brazil and Mexico), BRICS cultural industries. (Brazil), IBSA (Brazil) and the UN. South Africa’s During the visit, high-level meetings were business sector has extensive interests in the scheduled with senior members of government, region, including SAB Miller, AngloGold Ashanti, business, academia and the youth. MoUs on Naspers, Denel, Sasol, PetroSA. Political Consultations were signed in Guyana These relate to exports of capital equipment, and Suriname. intermediary goods and investments as well as In September 2015, Minister Nkoana- a growing presence of South African companies Mashabane undertook a working visit to in the service sector. Jamaica, where she addressed the International Women’s Forum on 20 September 2015, under Brazil the theme: “Phenomenal Women”. The presidents of South Africa and Brazil meet Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also held regularly to discuss issues of mutual interest. bilateral consultations with her counterpart, Mr

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Arnold J Nicholson, QC, Minister of Foreign followed by liqueurs. South African imports from Affairs and Foreign Trade. The ministers signed Venezuela consist mainly of oil. an MoU on the Establishment of Political Consultations. Cuba In November 2015, Deputy Minister Landers Cuba remains a strategic partner of South Africa visited the Dominican Republic. and the region. South Africa continues to be a beneficiary of Uruguay, Chile and Colombia Cuba’s ongoing assistance in support of the Deputy Minister Landers visited Uruguay, Chile five priorities of the South African Government, and Colombia in March 2015. through joint programmes in health, labour, While in Montevideo, Uruguay, Deputy social development, housing and infrastructure. Minister Landers held bilateral meetings with his One of the success stories is the extensive counterpart, Deputy Minister Jose-Luis Cancela cooperation between South Africa and Cuba and signed an MOU on the establishment of regarding skills development and training. bilateral relations between the two countries. Under the auspices of the South Africa In Chile, Deputy Minister Landers co-chaired Health Agreement, almost 3 000 South African the 5th Joint Consultative Mechanism between students are currently receiving training in Cuba. South Africa and Chile with his Chilean In addition, the deployment of Cuban doctors, counterpart. South Africa and Chile enjoy engineers and technical experts across South sound bilateral relations which are conducted African provinces is a further demonstration through the JCM which is conducted at deputy of strong bilateral relations between the two ministerial level. The JCM continues to serve countries. Deputy Minister Landers co-chaired a constructive purpose in the ongoing political the 12th JCM with his Cuban counterpart, HE dialogue between the two countries at bilateral, Mr Rogelio Sierra Diaz in Havana in October regional and multilateral levels. 2015. South Africa is Chile’s largest trading partner The JCM convenes annually and is co- in Africa and South Africa is the biggest investor chaired by the Deputy Minister of International in Chile’s mining sector. The biggest area of Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and trade between South Africa and Chile is capital the 1st Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of goods for mining. Cuba. Deputy Minister Landers’ visit to Colombia saw him hold bilateral meetings with his counterpart, United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland Deputy Minister Patti Londono Jaramillo. United Kingdom Relations between South Africa and Colombia Bilateral relations between South Africa and were established in 1994 and Colombia opened the UK cover a wide spectrum and have a a resident embassy in Pretoria in 1995. far-reaching impact. Bilateral relations between South Africa and Cooperation between the two countries is Colombia are cordial and growing. Colombia broad and includes health, education, science served with South Africa as non-permanent and technology, energy, the environment, members of the UNSC from 2011 to 2012. defence, police, arts and culture, and sports and recreation. Peru There is a healthy flow of investment in both South Africa is one of the largest investors in directions. Peru, with SABMiller and Anglo American The UK is recognised as the foremost source operating in that country. of FDI into South Africa, while South African The main South African exports to Peru are companies equally have made large investments mining equipment, paper and carton, metal in the UK. sheeting and specialised structural steel. South Africa and the UK have important trade and economic relations, which continue to Venezuela strengthen, although the global economic crisis The two countries have a MoU regarding has had a significant impact on bilateral trade. bilateral consultations. Three MoUs were also The UK is by far South Africa’s most significant signed by PetroSA and Petróleos de Venezuela, source of long-haul tourists, a position it has not which granted PetroSA a block to explore relinquished for the past 15 years. Venezuela’s oil reserves. In October 2015, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane South African exports to Venezuela consist arrived in the UK to co-chair the 11th session mainly of ferro-vanadium and related products, of the South Africa – United Kingdom Bilateral

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Forum with the British Secretary of State for with the Netherlands and Belgium in the past in Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Right support of peace and security in Africa, inter Philip Hammond. The forum was held in London alia on capacity building in the Great Lakes on 19 October 2015. Region. Such trilateral cooperation can be further The bilateral forum seeks to enhance and expanded in the future. strengthen political, global and economic There is a regular exchange of views between relations between South Africa and the UK in South Africa and Belgium, as well as with the various spheres. During the forum, working Netherlands, on the issues and complicated groups met to discuss progress on the implemen- processes necessary to find durable solutions to tation of South Africa-UK Strategy, which was the conflicts in the region. signed in 2013. Belgium Ireland Relations between South Africa and Belgium are The Republic of Ireland was the only EU member strong and dynamic, covering a number of areas country that did not have full diplomatic relations that are important to South Africa’s national with South Africa until the dawn of democratic development objectives. Belgium is South Africa’s South Africa. 12th largest export destination globally and ranks Ireland continues to be a valued source of sixth in the world in terms of FDI in South Africa, FDI in the following sectors: business services, among other things focusing on mining, green alternative/renewable energy, software and IT energy, ports, logistics and agriculture. services, and plastics. Belgium has allocated substantial resources Deputy Minister Landers undertook a working to South Africa in the form of ODA since 1994. visit to Ireland in November 2015, where This support has covered such areas as health, he co-chaired the 4th South Africa-Ireland ports management and logistics, education, rural Partnership Forum held in Dublin. development and further education and training. The partnership forum is the structured The budget of the development cooperation mechanism to manage and monitor bilateral programme, which will run up to 2016, is relations between South Africa and Ireland. It R66 million a year. The Belgian region of was established in 2004 through signing of a Flanders also has a long-standing development Declaration of Intent aimed at placing bilateral programme in South Africa, also with a budget of relations on a coherent and structured footing. R66 million per year up to 2016. The forum is conducted at deputy minister level and takes place every two years. The Netherlands Apart from being the second-most important Relations with Europe source of FDI into South Africa, the Netherlands European Union (EU) is South Africa’s seventh-largest trading partner Since 1994, building on shared values and in the world. The Dutch Government has mutual interests, South Africa and the EU have consistently supported South Africa in terms of developed a comprehensive partnership based bilateral and multilateral relations. A large number on the Trade, Development and Cooperation of bilateral agreements have been signed and Agreement. high-level bilateral ministerial meetings are held The SA-EU relationship is guided by the regularly. principle that the EU should support South In November 2015, Minister Nkoana- Africa’s national, regional and African priorities Mashabane led a South African delegation to the and programmes to eradicate poverty and 14th Session of the Assembly of States Parties underdevelopment. of the International Criminal Court, held in The The EU is South Africa’s main development Hague. assistance partner. Luxembourg Benelux countries Bilateral and economic relations, especially in The Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands the financial services and funds sectors, remain and Luxembourg) remain important trade and strong between Luxembourg and South Africa. investment partners of South Africa, and major providers of tourism. The Netherlands is the German-speaking countries second-most important source of FDI into South Bilateral relations between South Africa and the Africa. German-speaking countries cover various issues, There has been important trilateral cooperation including investment and trade, science and

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technology, defence, culture, the environment, Switzerland remains South Africa’s major tourism, sport, development cooperation and trading and investment partner in the European energy, but also entail multilateral and trilateral Free Trade Association. engagements. President Zuma led a South African delegation of cabinet ministers and business leaders to the Germany WEF in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2015. South Africa and Germany have a strategic The theme of 2015’s WEF meeting was “The relationship, with regular structured dialogue New Global Context”, which reflected the period and cooperation covering a broad range of of profound political, economic, social and areas, including political dialogue, trade and technological change that the world had entered investment, science and technology, the that had the potential to end the era of economic environment, development cooperation, energy, integration and international partnership that defence, labour and social affairs, vocational began in 1989. education and training, as well as arts and culture. Austria South Africa and Germany also enjoy very South Africa continues to enjoy cordial bilateral strong, long-standing and growing trade and relations with Austria, focused primarily on investment relations. In 2014, Germany ranked economic exchanges. South Africa ranks sixth as South Africa’s second largest global trading among Austria’s overseas trading partners, and partner, fourth largest global export market for is by far Austria’s major trading partner in Africa. South African goods and as the second largest Some 400 Austrian companies are engaged in importer into South Africa, while South Africa trade relations with South African companies. also remains in the top 30 of Germany’s global More than 50 Austrian companies have direct trading partners. investments in South Africa. There are over 600 German companies invested in South Africa providing over Nordic countries 100 000 employment opportunities mainly in South Africa enjoys good relations with all the the automotive industry, the chemical industry, Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, as well as in the mechanical and electrical Norway and Sweden. Flowing from the strong engineering sectors. grassroots support in these countries for President Zuma undertook an official visit to democratisation in South Africa, relations have Germany in November 2015. been established in virtually every field at both President Zuma and Chancellor Angela Merkel public and official levels. The scope of Nordic reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and development cooperation is broad and has international issues. President Zuma also paid benefited civil society and government. a courtesy call on Federal President Joachim Relations in the international arena have seen Gauck, addressed South African and German close cooperation on multilateral issues. The business leaders in Berlin, and provided the Nordic countries are strong supporters of Nepad closing statement at a Symposium on Youth and are directly involved in conflict resolution Skills Development and Employment. and reconstruction projects in Africa. This was reinforced by the signing of the Declaration of Switzerland Intent on Partnerships in Africa in June 2008, Relations between South Africa and Switzerland which laid a framework for future trilateral are based on equal partnership. There are some cooperation. 200 Swiss companies in South Africa, employing around 36 000 South Africans. Denmark Consultations at the level of deputy ministers Denmark was a very strong supporter of the of international relations and a Joint Economic anti-apartheid struggle and a major force in Commission at the level of Ministers of trade sanctions and disinvestment. The Danish occur annually. Government is focusing on renewable energy Switzerland has granted South Africa special development in South Africa. This programme status on the Swiss foreign-policy agenda as one has been developed in response to the of the focus areas for Swiss interests outside commitments made in the MoU of October Europe. 2011 between Denmark and South Africa and Switzerland actively contributes to numerous to the Declaration of Intent on the South African development assistance programmes in South Renewable Initiative to which Denmark is a Africa and elsewhere in Africa. co-signatory.

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The programme has been designed with the cohesion. intention of assisting South Africa in implementing Mediterranean Europe its policy of developing a low-carbon economy France with special focus on electricity supply. France is a significant trade, investment, tourism In October 2015, Deputy Minister Mfeketo and development cooperation partner for South delivered an address as part of an outreach Africa. About 250 French companies have programme co-hosted by Afrika Kontakt invested in South Africa and employ around solidarity movement and the South African 300 000 people. Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. Afrika South Africa will count on France’s support Kontakt is a solidarity movement with its roots in in ensuring the effective implementation of the anti-apartheid movement, founded in 1978, the UN Resolution 2033, which provides for against colonialism and suppression in Southern closer coordination between the UNSC and the Africa. AUPSC. In June 2015, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Norway Dr Rob Davies, visited France to attend an During November 2015, Deputy Minister Landers informal WTO Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines undertook a working visit to Norway. of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation The visit to Norway took place within the and Development Ministers’ Meeting. The WTO context of the South Africa/Norway High Level meeting was co-chaired by Australia and Kenya. Consultations (HLC). During the visit, Deputy The WTO Ministers’ Meeting discussed the Minister Landers and his Norwegian counterpart, post-Bali work programme and the 10th WTO Ms Tone Skogen, co-chaired the 3rd Session of Ministerial Council Meeting that took place in the HLC between the two countries. Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2015. South Africa and Norway have a history of Minister Davies also met with the South African working together in the promotion of democracy, and United States delegations who discussed good governance and human rights, social, the ‘AGOA Poultry Dispute’ in June 2015 in environmental and climate change and have Paris. The two-day meeting was facilitated supported and worked with each other in bilateral by the two governments with their respective and multilateral relations. industry associations resulted in a breakthrough The two countries will further discuss after several months of industry-to-industry cooperation related to the maritime sector, in negotiations. light of South Africa’s fast-tracking of the Blue economy. Italy In November 2015, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane Finland paid a working visit to Italy where she held South Africa attaches great importance to bilateral talks with her counterpart, Mr Paolo its Nordic partners, and this visit provided a Gentiloni, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and platform to further consolidate and strengthen International Cooperation of Italy, with a view the already cordial relations between South to renewing political and economic relations Africa and Finland. The meeting also served to between the two countries. deepen Africa-Nordic cooperation. Spain Sweden The Kingdom of Spain remains South Africa’s Deputy President Ramaphosa visited Sweden for strategic partner by continuing cooperation to the 9th session of the BNC between South Africa promote trade and investment, and preserve and Sweden in October 2015 in Stockholm. He peace and prosperity in Africa and the world. also met with Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, In April 2015, Deputy Minister Landers led a Ms Åsa Romson, to hold discussions on issues South African delegation to Madrid, Spain, to of mutual interest at the bilateral and multilateral co-chair the 10th South Africa-Spain Annual levels. Consultations with the Spanish Secretary of At a bilateral level, discussions focused on State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr trade and investment, skills development and Ignacio Ybáñez Rubio. training as well as job creation. At a multilateral The yearly event provides an opportunity for level, discussions included cooperation in the South Africa and Spain to strengthen relations implementation of the Sustainable Development on a wide range of issues in bilateral, political Goals, reform of Global Governance institutions, and economic relations. The engagements UN and AU peace-building efforts and social between the two principals included bilateral

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discussions, which was preceded by a Senior Poland Officials Working Group meeting. Polish-South African relations entered a new Internationally, the two countries will continue phase after the fall of apartheid. Poland is to exchange views and strengthen cooperation regarded as one of the countries in central on issues of global concern. The meeting also Europe with great strategic importance to South reviewed a number of bilateral agreements that Africa. had been signed as well agreements that were Poland is not only one of the strongest role being negotiated at the time. players in the political and economic arenas in Trade between South Africa and Spain central Europe, but also an emerging power in increased substantially from R15,6 billion in the EU. 2009 to R29 billion in 2014. Spain has become a major investor in South African economy, Hungary especially in the renewable energy sector. In November 2015, Deputy Minister Landers hosted his Hungarian counterpart, Dr. László Greece Szabó, in Pretoria. South Africa and Greece enjoy traditional and The objective of the visit was to enhance and close ties of friendship and cooperation as well strengthen bilateral cooperation between South as a convergence of views and cooperation Africa and Hungary, to deepen understanding on various regional and international issues in on regional and multilateral issues of mutual general. concern and to encourage further trade and Bilateral relations between the two countries investment in key drivers of South Africa’s continue to grow in a number of strategic and economy to create jobs, specifically in terms of mutually beneficial areas. promoting the export of value-added products to the Hungarian market. Cyprus The two deputy ministers discussed the South Africa has excellent and long-standing possibility of forming a JCC between South bilateral relations with Cyprus. It has maintained Africa and Hungary. strong ties with Cyprus, partly because of the large and influential Cypriot community in South Russian Federation Africa, of about 60 000 people. South Africa regards the Russian Federation as an important strategic partner and close Portugal bilateral and multilateral ties exist between the Bilateral relations between South Africa and two countries. Portugal are cordial and cover many areas, With the dissolution of the USSR, South Africa underpinned by the High-level Political Consul- became the first African state to recognise the tative Forum, which provides a platform for independence of the Russian Federation. Full the two countries to explore the deepening of diplomatic relations were established between relations across the spectrum of South Africa’s South Africa and the Russian Federation in national priorities, political cooperation, the February 1992. strengthening of trade and investment and In November 2015, Minister Nkoana- development cooperation. Mashabane undertook a working visit to Moscow, Bilateral relations between both countries Russia to co-chair the 13th session of the annual have not reached their full potential especially South Africa-Russia Joint Intergovernmental considering the historical and current political Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation and cultural links between the two countries. with the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, Mr Eastern Europe Sergey Donskoy. The Eastern Europe region is of crucial While in Moscow, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane importance to South Africa’s strategic objectives, also held bilateral talks with her counterpart, Mr straddling a wide spectrum of political and Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of economic interests. the Russian Federation. The region is well endowed with strategic commodities and minerals that are of vital significance to South Africa’s economy. Cooperation in gas and oil and the peaceful use of nuclear energy can go a long way towards alleviating South Africa’s energy needs.

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