Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to bestow the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem on Minister Naledi Pandor, 02 December 2022

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will be awarded the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem – the second highest level of Order awarded by the order of the President of the State of Palestine to the Heads of Government, Ministers, Envoys and others of similar standing - at an event scheduled to take place at the Freedom Park, in Pretoria.

South Africa and the Republic of Korea celebrate 30 years of Diplomatic Relations. The Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Korea are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations this year.

Deputy Minister Botes to host his Polish counterpart for Bilateral Political Consultations. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will host his counterpart from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Mr Paweł Jabłoński, for Bilateral Political Consultations, which will be held in Pretoria on 01 December 2022.

Minister Naledi Pandor to host her counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Mr George Onyeama, in Pretoria on 30 November 2022

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will host her Nigerian counterpart, His Excellency, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, in Pretoria on 30 November 2022, for the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries.

South Africa’s Country Statement delivered by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, on the occasion of the 22nd Meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 24 November 2022. On behalf of the Government and People of South Africa, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Indonesia, for the tragic loss of life caused by an earthquake that struck the West Java region this week.

Scam Alert regarding Legalisation Services. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) would like to appeal to the public to be cautious of a legalisation scam whereby the Department’s name is being used to solicit money for legalisation services.

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the 21st Annual Regional Seminar on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law: 22 - 25 November 2022. Theme - International Humanitarian Law: An African Perspective on Contemporary Global Challenges”, 22 November 2022. I am honoured and privileged to be welcoming you all and opening our 21st Annual Regional Seminar on the implementation of International Humanitarian Law for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Island States.

Message of condolences following the death and injuries from an earthquake in Indonesia. The South African Government wishes to express its condolences to the Government and people of Indonesia following the large-scale destruction and loss of hundreds of lives in the wake of the recent earthquake in the West Java Province.

Speech delivered by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, IORA Business Forum Closing Session, 21 November 2022, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is my great privilege to be in your beautiful country and thank you for inviting me to be part of your business forum.

President embarks on State Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa will, at the invitation of His Majesty, King Charles III, conduct a State Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) from 22 to 23 November 2022.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini arrives in Bangladesh for the IORA Ministerial Meeting. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, has arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers (COM).

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 16 November 2022. Issues in the environment - Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) - South Africa’s JET-IP received widespread acclaim at the 27th session of the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) being held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 6 to 18 November 2022.

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes and the Acting President of the Board of the Federal Public Service: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium, Ms Theodora Gentzis, co-chair the Fourth Meeting of the South Africa - Belgium Joint Commission, at OR Tambo Building, in Pretoria, South Africa, 8 November 2022.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to host the Fourth Meeting of South Africa – Belgium Joint Commission. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will host the Fourth Meeting of the South Africa – Belgium Joint Commission in Pretoria on 08 November 2022.

Joint Communiqué issued by the Honourable Ministers Ambassador Albert Shingiro and Dr Naledi Pandor at the Inaugural Session of the Burundi – South Africa Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), held on 4 November 2022, Bujumbura. At the invitation of the Hon. Ambassador Albert Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi, Hon. Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa led the South African delegation at the Inaugural Session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) between the Governments of the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of South Africa, held on 4 November 2022, in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Minister Pandor undertakes a Working Visit to Bujumbura, Burundi to co-chair an Inaugural Session of the South Africa – Burundi Joint Commission for Cooperation on 04 November 2022. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has undertaken a Working Visit to Bujumbura, in the Republic of Burundi, to co-chair an Inaugural Burundi – South Africa Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), with her counterpart, HE Ambassador Albert Shingiro, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi, on 04 November 2022.

Unveiling of the First Nelson Mandela Statue in Bulgaria. The official unveiling of the first monument in Sofia in honour of the iconic world leader, Mr Nelson Mandela, will take place on Thursday, 03 November 2022.

South Africa welcomes the agreement for peace in Ethiopia. The South African Government welcomes the successful negotiation and signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Remarks by HE Olusegun Obasanjo, High Representative of the AU Chairperson for the Horn of Africa, on the occasion of the Signing of the Peace Agreement between the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November 2022. Today marks two years - less than two days - since violence and war broke out in the Northern Ethiopian region of Tigray.

Media Briefing on AU-led negotiations for peace in Ethiopia

The High Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, will brief the media this afternoon in Pretoria regarding the African Union-led negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ethiopia.

President Ramaphosa congratulates Mr Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva following successful election. President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his successful election to the position of President of the Republic of Brazil.

President Ramaphosa sends messages of condolence to India and Somalia. President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent messages of condolence to the Republic of India and the Federal Republic of Somalia following disasters that have led to the tragic deaths of scores of people in the two countries.

President Ramaphosa sends message of condolences to South Korea following Seoul tragedy. President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, sent his heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of South Korea following the tragic loss of life suffered in the capital, Seoul, during Halloween activities.

Deputy Minister Botes in Türkiye for Bilateral Political Consultations. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will undertake a Working Visit to the Republic of Türkiye from 29 – 03 November 2022, where he is expected to co-chair Bilateral Political Consultations with the Türkiysh Deputy Minister, Mr Sedat Önal.

Joint Declaration at the conclusion of the Official Visit of his Excellency the President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of South Africa. At the invitation of His Excellency Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón President of the Government of Spain, undertook an Official Visit to the Republic of South Africa on 27 October.

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the South Africa – Spain Business Forum on the occasion of an Official Visit to South Africa by President Pedro Sánchez of the Government of Spain, 27 October 2022. Welcome once again to our guests from the Kingdom of Spain.

Media Briefing Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during an Official Visit by Spain, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 27 October 2022. It has been an honour to receive His Excellency President Sánchez and his delegation.

Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks with President Pedro Sánchez on the occasion of the Official Visit by Spain, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 27 October 2022. Allow me to begin by thanking you, Your Excellency, for honouring our invitation to visit South Africa.

President Ramaphosa to host President Sánchez of Spain

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 27 October 2022, host President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón of Spain on an Official Visit to Pretoria.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini concludes successful visit to the Central Africa Region. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, has concluded her successful visit to the Central Africa region, where she visited the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Cameroon from 18-25 October 2022.

Deputy Minister Botes arrives in Georgia for Political Consultations. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, has arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia, where he will co-chair political consultations with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Ms Khatuna Totladze.

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes pays a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr Jeyhun Bayramov, in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan 25 October 2022.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

DIRCO hosts Diplomatic Fair in Pretoria

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will host the annual Diplomatic Fair on Saturday, 22 October 2022, at the Union Buildings southern lawns in Pretoria.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini begins three-nation tour of the Central Africa Region. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, has arrived in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where she begins her three-nation tour of the Central Africa region.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 19 October 2022. Issues in the environment - Water security - Cabinet thanked South Africans for adhering to water restrictions implemented in certain parts of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni to stabilise the capacity of reservoirs.

President Ramaphosa to host President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on an Official Visit. Members of the media are invited to apply for accreditation for the Official Visit by President Pedro Sánchez of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain to be held on 27 October 2022 in Pretoria.

Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the State Visit by HE Mr Brahim Ghali, President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, to the Republic of South Africa. 18 October 2022. On 18 October 2022, President Ramaphosa received the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, H.E. er Brahim Ghali, on a State Visit to South Africa.

Media Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the State Visit by the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 18 October 2022. This morning I welcomed His Excellency Brahim Ghali, President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, to South Africa and to our seat of Government here at the Union Buildings.

Opening Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Official Talks, Saharawi State Visit, Union Buildings, 18 October 2022. On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa I welcome you, Mr President, and your esteemed delegation on this significant visit to South Africa.

Minister Naledi Pandor participates in a panel discussion at the Financial Times’ Africa Summit under the theme: “Investing in Africa”, in London, United Kingdom (UK), 18 October 2022.

Photo: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

Minister Pandor to deliver the closing keynote address at the FT Africa Summit in London. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will participate in, and deliver the closing keynote address, at the Financial Times’ Africa Summit taking place in London, United Kingdom, on 17-18 October 2022.

South Africa and Saudi Arabia cements relations as President Ramaphosa concludes State Vist. President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Sunday 16 October 2022, concluded his State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confident that both countries have cemented their continued bilateral cooperation and consolidated their strategic partnership.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Remarks at the closing session of the Saudi Arabia-South Africa Investment Conference on the occasion of the State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 15 October 2022. Allow me to voice my appreciation to the wonderful relationship that has evolved between our two countries and particularly to thank His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with whom we have developed a warm and close relationship that has formed the foundation of this growing partnership between our two countries; and also the warm relationship between our various ministers who have joined in to really ensure that this relationship is the type that bares enormous fruits for both our countries,

Deputy Minister Botes concludes his Working Visit to the Czech Republic and Lithuania. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, has concluded his Working Visit to the Czech Republic and Lithuania for Bilateral Political Consultations.

President Ramaphosa arrives in Saudi Arabia on a State Visit. His Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Friday, 14 October 2022, arrived in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a State Visit to take place on 15-16 October 2022.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini on a Working Visit to the Seychelles. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, has arrived in the Seychelles, where she is scheduled to co-chair the Third Session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation between South Africa and the Seychelles on 14 October 2022.

President Ramaphosa to host President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic for a State Visit. President Cyril Ramaphosa will host President Brahim Ghali of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) for a State Visit on 18 October 2022 in Pretoria.

Minister Naledi Pandor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr HAYASHI Yoshimasa, at the South Africa – Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Tokyo, Japan, 13 October 2022.

Photo: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

Minister Pandor arrives in Japan on a Working Visit. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, where she is scheduled to co-chair the Japan – South Africa Partnership Forum with her counterpart, His Excellency Mr Hayashi Yoshimasa, on 13 October 2022.

Statement by Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative, in explanation of vote on UNGA Resolution A/ES-11/L.5, 12 October 2022. South Africa is deeply concerned by the ongoing war in Ukraine, the increased loss of life and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Deputy Minister Botes to co-chair the South Africa – Czech Republic Political Consultations. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will travel to Prague in the Czech Republic to co-chair the South Africa – Czech Republic Political Consultations with his counterpart, Mr Martin Tlapa on Tuesday, 11 October 2022.

The Government of the Republic of South Africa extends its deepest condolences to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand following the death of many Thai citizens and children during a mass shooting at a children’s day-care centre in the Northern Thai Province of Nong Bua Lamphu, on 6 October 2022. The Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa extend their deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand, following the tragic loss of life of many children and members of staff at the day-care centre.

Minister Pandor to deliver a keynote address at the Irish Solidarity with Anti-Apartheid Struggle in South Africa Exhibition. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will, this evening, 05 October 2022, deliver a keynote address at the launch of the Irish Solidarity with the Anti-Apartheid Struggle in South Africa Exhibition at the Freedom Park, in Pretoria.