Minister Pandor concludes Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has concluded her Working Visit to the People’s Republic of China, where she led a South African delegation of senior government officials to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Coordinators’ Meeting, which took place from 24 to 25 June 2019 in Beijing.

Bilateral Meeting between the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, and Yang Jiechi (Member and Foreign Affairs Director of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China). Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 25 June 2019.

Photos: Katlholo Maifadi / DIRCO

Advocate Pansy Tlakula elected to serve on a UN Human Rights body. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has congratulated Advocate Pansy Tlakula on her election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the CERD).

Address by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, at the Minister’s Breakfast in honour of the Diplomatic Corps, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 1, Ballroom East, Cape Town, on 22 June 2019. I wish to begin by thanking you all for accepting our invitation and attending this breakfast.

Minister Pandor to host a Breakfast Meeting with Members of the Diplomatic Corps

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Dr. Naledi Pandor, will host a Breakfast Meeting with Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Cape Town.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the UN Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine, Thursday, 20 June 2019. I would like to thank Mr Mladenov for his briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on the International Criminal Court and the situation in Sudan, 19 June 2019. At the outset allow me thank the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Ms Fatou Bensouda, for her comprehensive briefing on the situation in Sudan.

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: Asia and the Middle East at DIRCO, and Chair of the IORA Committee of Senior Officials (CSO), Durban, 19 June 2019. Colleagues, a warm welcome to the Ninth Bi-annual CSO Meeting.

IORA Committee of Senior Officials to meet in Durban

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will host the Ninth Bi-annual Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) from 19 – 20 June 2019 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Address by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the ID4Africa Movement, held at Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Ekurhuleni, on 18 June 2019. I am pleased to have the honour of addressing the 5th Annual Meeting of the ID4Africa Movement.

Minister Pandor to deliver the keynote address at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the ID4Africa Movement - 18 June 2019 at Emperors Palace in Boksburg

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the ID4Africa Movement at Emperor’s Palace, in Boksburg, on Tuesday, 18 June 2019, at 08h30.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Yemen, 17 June 2019. We thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr Martin Griffiths, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Mark Lowcock and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme Mr David Beasley for their briefings.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on the situation in Burundi, 14 June 2019. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, AU Peace and Security Commissioner, Ambassador Smail Chergui and Ambassador Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), Chairperson of the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission for their insightful briefings on the evolving situation in Burundi and for their unwavering commitment to the process.

President Ramaphosa announces reconfigured Departments. On the 29th May 2019, President Ramaphosa announced the appointment of a reconfigured national executive following the recently held general elections. Delivering the announcement, the President committed to a process of further reforms to “promote coherence, better coordination and improved efficiency” of government.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on the United Nations and African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), 14 June 2019. My delegation would like to thank you for convening this meeting.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on “Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Sub-Regional Organisations in maintaining Peace and Security”, 13 June 2019. We thank you once again for your stewardship of today’s Council meeting on “Cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States”.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Mali, 12 June 2019. We wish to welcome His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali in the Council today. Minister we are pleased that you could joint us to discuss this important matter.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Protection of Civilians: Missing Persons in Armed Conflict, 11 June 2019. I would like to thank the Operations Director Ms Reena Ghelani of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mr. Peter Maurer, for their insightful briefings.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Kosovo, 10 June 2019. South Africa would like to thank the briefers for their informative statements.

Press Conference by the African Members (A3) of the United Nations Security Council (Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea & South Africa) on the situation in Sudan at the UNSC Press Stakeout, UN Head Quarters, New York, 6 June 2019. The Representatives of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), along with the representative of the African Union would like to relay the following message regarding the unfolding situation in Sudan.

Joint E10 Statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, Ambassador Jerry Matjila, during the Open Debate on the Working Methods of the Security Council, 6 June 2019. Thank you for giving me the floor. Allow me, before I deliver our joint E10 statement on the working methods of this Council, to reflect for a moment on a momentous event that took place today, 75 years ago.

Ongoing political and security situation in the Republic of the Sudan. The South African Government notes with great concern the ongoing political and security situation in Sudan. Clashes between the military and protesters on Monday, 03 June 2019, have reportedly led to the deaths of 60 civilians, with many others injured.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, 04 June 2019. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), Mr François Louncény Fall for the report on the situation in Central Africa and the activities of UNOCA.

President Ramaphosa congratulates President Peter Mutharika on his re-election. President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated his Malawian counterpart, His Excellency Peter Mutharika, on his re-election to the position of President of the Republic of Malawi following the Tripartite Elections held on 21 May 2019.

President Ramaphosa sends condolences to Namibia following the passing on of former Vice Pressident Dr Iyambo. His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, extended his deepest condolences to the Republic of Namibia following the passing on of the former first Vice President, His Excellency Dr Nickey Iyambo, earlier this month, May 2019.

Statement on the Appointment of Members of the National Executive, 29 May 2019. In the election of the 8th of May, South Africans provided this administration with a clear mandate to accelerate inclusive economic growth, act with greater urgency to tackle poverty, improve government services, fight corruption and end state capture. If we are to give effect to this mandate, we need a capable, efficient and ethical government.

President Ramaphosa sends best wishes to the Proteas. President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed best wishes to the South African Cricket team, the Proteas, ahead of their 2019 World Cup opening match against England on Thursday, 30 May 2019.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria, 28 May 2019. I would like to thank Ms Ursula Meüller, Assistant-Secretary-General of Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for her briefing.

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the Presidential Inauguration, Tshwane, 25 May 2019. I stand before you having just taken the oath to be President of our beautiful country South Africa. I am humbled by the trust you have bestowed upon me, aware of the challenges our country faces, but also alive to the fact that our people are filled with hope for a better tomorrow.

Presidential Inauguration Logistics. Members of the public are advised on the following arrangements for transportation and access to the stadium on the day of the inauguration.

Statement of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the State of Readiness for the Presidential Inauguration. I would like to first welcome you and the thank you for coming to this briefing on preparations for the presidential Inauguration scheduled to take place on the 25th of May, at Loftus Stadium.

Minister Sisulu challenges UN Country Team to support South Africa’s national priorities. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has received a Letter of Assignment from Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas following her appointment as the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator to South Africa, the highest-ranking UN official in the country.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on the situation in Somalia, 22 May 2019. South Africa thanks Deputy SRSG Zenenga, ASG Ursulla Mueller and AU SRCC Francisco Madeira for their briefing and Secretary-General Mr António Guterres for his report.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the UN Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine, Wednesday, 22 May 2019. Please allow me to begin by thanking Mr Mladenov for his briefing on the situation in the Middle East, particularly the question of Palestine and Mr Pierre Krahenbuhl for his briefing on the status of UNWRA.

Deputy Minister Landers to lead the South African delegation to the 109th Session of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers Session in Brussels, 21-23 May 2019. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Luwellyn Landers, will lead the South African delegation to the 109th Session of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers and the 44th Session of the ACP-European Union Council of Ministers, scheduled to take place from 21–24 May 2019 in Brussels, Belgium.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on the situation in Libya, 21 May 2019. South Africa thanks Special Representative Mr Ghassan Salamé for his briefing and Ambassador Jürgen Schulz for his report.

The South African Government statement on the bus explosion in Egypt. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu, has been informed by the South African Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Mr Vusi Mavimbela, of the bus explosion near Cairo.

DIRCO and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to host workshop in Pretoria

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in partnership with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Government of the United Kingdom (UK), will on 16-18 May 2019 host a workshop on the ISA.