President Ramaphosa to chair Second Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union. African Union (AU) Chairperson, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, will today, 22 October 2020, chair the Second Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs) and Member States.

Statement by Minister Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, during the Security Council High-Level Debate on a Comprehensive Review of  the situation in the Gulf Region, 20 October 2020. South Africa wishes to commend the Russian Federation for your stewardship of the Security Council for the month of October and I thank you, Minister Lavrov, for convening this meeting today to review the situation in the Gulf region.

Minister Naledi Pandor hands over Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Klapmuts Primary School, Stellenbosch region, Western Cape Province, South Africa, 19 October 2020.

Photo: Katlholo Maifadi / DIRCO

Minister Naledi Pandor hands over Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Idasvallei Primary School, Stellenbosch region, Western Cape Province, South Africa, 19 October 2020.

Photo: Katlholo Maifadi / DIRCO

Minister Pandor hands over PPEs and other necessities in the Western Cape. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, visited the Stellenbosch region, Western Cape Province, on Monday, 19 October 2020, where she handed over a consignment of goods, which include Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other necessities to two schools, Idas Valley Primary School and Klapmuts Primary School.

Minister Pandor to hand over PPEs in the Western Cape

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, who also serves on the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), will on Monday, 19 October 2020, hand over a consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to schools in the Stellenbosch region, Western Cape Province.

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Yemen, 15 October 2020. We thank Special Envoy Martin Griffiths; as well as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, for their briefings.

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to participate in a virtual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will tomorrow, Wednesday, 14 October 2020, participate in a virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers (CFAMM).

Opening Remarks by the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), Minister Naledi Pandor, during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, Pretoria, South Africa, 13 to 14 October 2020.

Photo: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

Opening Remarks prepared for the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the African Union, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Naledi Pandor, during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on 13 to 14 October 2020. I call to order the meeting of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union. Let me begin by thanking you all for attending this meeting albeit under extremely unusual circumstances.

Minister Pandor to chair the 37th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), 13-14 October 2020. In her capacity as the Chairperson of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Naledi Pandor, will preside over the 37th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU to be held virtually on 13 to 14 October 2020.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa, on behalf of Niger, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines & South Africa (A3+1), during the Security Council Meeting on the Democratic Republic of The Congo, 6 October 2020. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3 +1 members of the Council namely, Niger, South Africa and Tunisia + St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Syria - Chemical Weapons, 5 October 2020. Let me begin by thanking Ms Izumi Nakamitsu (High Representative for Disarmament Affairs) for her briefing.

Briefing Statement on the re-opening of the borders and ports of entry for international travellers, Wednesday, 30 September 2020. Fellow South Africans, esteemed travellers and visitors to our beloved country and members of the media, thank you for allowing us, the Ministers tasked with immigration, tourism, health, transport and international relations and cooperation the opportunity to come before you to explain and to give necessary clarifications on how the South African borders will be reopened for international travel from 1 October 2020.

Re-opening of the borders and ports of entry for international travellers – Questions and Answers. Borders will be reopened for international travel from 1 October 2020. Travellers visiting the country will be expected to abide by the regulations which include mandatory wearing of masks at all times, practising social distancing in public spaces, regular washing or sanitising of hands and presenting a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure.

Media Briefing on easing of international travel restrictions

Following the address by the President, his Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, on the progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic; Ministers who serve in the National Corona Virus Command Council (NCCC) will on Wednesday, 30 September 2020, lead a media briefing on easing of international travel restrictions as of the 1st of October 2020.

SA agreement with South East Asian bloc opens up a host of opportunities, Daily Maverick, by Hilton Fisher, 30 September 2020. South Africa is in the process of acceding to the Treaty of Amity of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the fifth-largest economy in the world. The potential for future trade, investment and a host of other cooperation agreements is exciting.

President Ramaphosa to address virtual UNGA75 Summit on Biodiversity. President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Wednesday, 30 September 2020, address a virtual Summit on Biodiversity that is taking place on the side-line of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75).

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, 29 September 2020. Let me begin by thanking Special Coordinator, Mladenov, for his useful and frank briefing on the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, on behalf of Niger, Tunisia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and South Africa (A3+1), during the Security Council Meeting on UNITAMS, 25 September 2020. I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the African Countries, Niger, South Africa and Tunisia as well as St Vincent and Grenadines (A3+1).

Statement by HE Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, during the Security Council Meeting on the Global Order post COVID-19, 24 September 2020. Allow me to begin by congratulating the Republic of Niger on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council. Please be assured of South Africa’s full support and cooperation.

South Africa to reaffirm commitment to partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 23 September 2020, participate in the High Level Virtual Panel hosted by the G7 Partnership for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Africa.

Statement on virtual Cabinet Meeting of 23 September 2020. Issues in the Government - update on the Coronavirus Diesease (COVID-19). In his address to the nation on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the move to Alert Level 1 of the national lockdown with effect from Monday, 21 September 2020.

South Africa to address the General Debate of the virtual 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Chairperson, will this afternoon, 22 September 2020, address the first day of the General Debate of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, under the theme: "The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism – confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action."

#JerusalemaDanceChallenge – South Africa’s display of soft power amid COVID-19, Daily Maverick, by Bobby J Moroe, 22 September 2020. The song Jerusalema and its dance challenge are South Africa’s gift to the world. They are also textbook examples of diplomatic ‘soft power’ at a time when the world desperately needs hope.

South Africa to commemorate 75th anniversary of the United Nations. President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, 21 September 2020, reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to the United Nations on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. The President is participating in a number of virtual sessions of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA75) from 18 September 2020 to 02 October 2020.

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Meeting on the Political situation in Syria, 18 September 2020. Mr President, let me begin by thanking Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, for his comprehensive briefing today and congratulate him and his office for successfully holding the third round of discussions of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva.

Statement by HE Ambassador J M Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Open Video Teleconference (VTC) Meeting of the United Nations Security Council titled, “Humanitarian Effects of Environmental Degradation and Peace and Security”, New York, 17 September 2020. Allow me to first congratulate Niger on its Presidency of the Security Council for the month of September 2020 and for convening this meeting to highlight the potential impact of environmental degradation on peace and security situations.

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Protecting Civilians affected by Conflict Induced Hunger, 17 September 2020. Thank you for convening this briefing to address conflict induced hunger.

Minister Naledi Pandor participates in the IBSA Joint Ministerial Meeting on Reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, New York, USA, 16 September 2020.

Photos: Katlholo Maifadi / DIRCO

Online Lecture at the WITS School of Governance on the theme ‘South Africa’s place in the changing Global Order’ delivered by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, 16 September 2020. Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today on the theme of South Africa’s place in the changing global order.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Yemen, 15 September 2020. We thank Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) Under Secretary-General, Mark Lowcock, for their briefings.

Speech delivered by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes (MP), at the handover ceremony of the United Kingdom Government donation to the Solidarity Fund on Monday, 14 September 2020. South Africa’s foreign policy disposition present itself in the form of four concentric circles, with Africa in the inner circle, followed by the Global South; deepen cooperation with the industrialised and developed North and the heightening of Global Multilateralism.

Deputy Minister Botes to receive United Kingdom (UK) Government’s donation to the Solidarity Fund

The Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will on Monday, 14 September 2020, participate in the signing ceremony marking the United Kingdom Government's donation of an amount of money to the Solidarity Fund.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa on behalf of Niger, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines & South Africa (A3+1), during the Security Council Meeting on Peacekeeping Operations, 14 September 2020. This statement is delivered on behalf of Niger, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and South Africa (the A3+1).

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Open Video Teleconference (VTC) Meeting on Syria - Chemical Weapons, 10 September 2020. Allow me to thank Ms Izumi Nakamitzu (High Representative for Disarmament Affairs) for her briefing to the Security Council, and the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (the OPCW) for his 83rd Report.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on the implementation of Resolution 2532 (COVID-19 Pandemic), 9 September 2020. I thank you for convening this meeting to allow the Security Council to be informed on the implementation of Resolution 2532 (2020).

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Meeting on Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organisations: Role of the International Organisation of the Francophonie, 8 September 2020. I wish to extend our appreciation to HE Mr Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and the Chair of Council of the Ministers of the International Organisation of the Francophonie; Ms Bintou Keita, Assistant Secretary-General for the Department of Political Affairs and Peacebuilding; and the Secretary-General of the OIF, Ms Louise Mushikiwabo for their briefings.

Minister Pandor to lead SA delegation at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will lead the South African delegation at the extraordinary G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to be held virtually on Thursday, 03 September 2020, from 14h00 to 16h00 (South African time).

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Thursday, 3 September 2020. I wish to thank Ms Deborah Lyons (Special Representative and Head of UNAMA) and Mr Saad Mohseni (Chief Executive of the MOBY Group) for their insightful briefings.

Minister Pandor to host the 2020 Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, is scheduled to host the 2020 Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum, to be held virtually from 27 – 28 August 2020.

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Meeting on the Humanitarian situation in Syria, 27 August 2020. I would like to thank Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Ramesh Rajasingham, for his frank and insightful briefing on the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Iraq, 26 August 2020. We thank the Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ms Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, for her briefing. South Africa supports and continues to have confidence in your efforts.

Statement on the virtual Cabinet Meeting of 26 August 2020. Issues in the Environment - Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Alert Level 2 - The move from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 of the national lockdown with effect from 18 August 2020 has resulted in the welcome relaxation of restrictions on some of the socio-economic activities.

President Ramaphosa reprimands Minister Mboweni for inappropriate comment. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, has strongly reprimanded the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, following comments made by the Minister on social media regarding the removal of Zambia’s Central Bank Governor by President Edgar Lungu.

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, during the UNSC Briefing on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts - Isil/Da’esh Strategic Report, 24 August 2020. We congratulate Indonesia on its successful Presidency of the Security Council and thank the briefers for their insightful perspectives on the Secretary-General’s Eleventh Strategic-Level Report on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat.

President of South Africa and AU Chairperson’s statement on unconstitutional change of government of Mali. HE Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa has learnt with concern of developments in the Republic of Mali, which have led to the forced resignation of the President of Mali, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Communiqué of the 40th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, 17 August 2020. The 40th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held virtually on the 17th August 2020.

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 August 2020. It has been five months since we declared a national state of disaster to combat to the coronavirus pandemic. As I said then, and as I repeat now, never before in the history of our democracy has our country been confronted with such a severe threat – a situation that has demanded an extraordinary response and much sacrifice.

Explanation of Vote by the Republic of South Africa on the proposed resolution by the United States of America on Annex B of Resolution 2231 (2015), 14 August 2020. South Africa views the JCPOA as one of most important diplomatic achievements in the area of nuclear non-proliferation since the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel Peace Agreement. The South African Government has noted with concern, the developments regarding the normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which took place on Thursday, 13 August 2020.

Minister Pandor hosts webinar with women diplomats on gender equality. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will on Friday, 14 August 2020, host a webinar, which forms part of a series of activities marking the Women’s Month.

Minister Pandor to lead a South African delegation to a virtual meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, MP, will lead a South African delegation to attend the virtual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, scheduled to take place today, 13 August 2020.

Statement by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Dr Naledi Pandor, at the United Nations Security Council Debate on the Pandemics and Sustaining Peace. At a time when the world is only beginning to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts are being made in various international forums to deal with the multitude of adverse impacts, we thank Indonesia, through you Minister Marsudi, for convening this Security Council debate prioritising sustaining peace in the midst of pandemics.