Minister Pandor congratulates Prof. Skelton on her re-election to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has congratulated Professor Ann Marie Skelton, on her re-election to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the Political and Humanitarian Situation in Syria, 25 November 2020. I thank Ms Khawla Matar (Deputy Special Envoy); and Mr Ramesh Rajasingham (Acting Under-Secretary-General; and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator) for their briefings on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Iraq, 24 November 2020. We thank the Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ms Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, for her briefing.

Minister Pandor refutes the allegations contained in the Sunday Independent Newspaper. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, has noted the Headlines and accompanying story in the Sunday Independent relating to the Bushiri matter.

Opening Remarks by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, Maseru, 20 November 2020. Honourable Minister Molise-Ramakoae and Co-Chair, thank you sincerely for your warm words of welcome.

Minister Pandor leads a Ministerial delegation to a meeting with Lesotho. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will lead a South African delegation to a Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) Ministerial Meeting between the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Speaking Notes for Ms Mashego-Dlamini, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on the occasion of a Webinar on the importance of Cultural Diplomacy in SADC Integration, 20 November 2020, Ubuntu Radio. It is a great privilege for me to host this auspicious event in which we deliberate on the importance of cultural diplomacy in the integration agenda of the SADC region.

President Ramaphosa to receive Letters of Credence from Ambassadors- and High Commissioners-Designate. President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, Thursday, 19 November 2020, receive Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners-Designate who have been nominated by governments to serve in diplomatic missions in South Africa.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Libya, 19 November 2020. Let me begin by thanking Ms Stephanie Williams (the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary General) for her briefing.

Opening Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Third South Africa Investment Conference, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, 18 November 2020. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Third South Africa Investment Conference. I would like to extend a particular welcome to those delegates from the SA Tomorrow Conference who are joining us from the African continent, the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

Statement on virtual Cabinet Meeting of 18 November 2020. Issues in the environment - 12th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Summit - Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the 12th BRICS Summit, which was led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Video Teleconference Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, 18 November 2020. Let me begin by expressing my deepest sadness at the passing of Dr Saeb Erekat.

South Africa and Malawi cooperation. South Africa and Malawi enjoy cordial relations conducted at the highest level, as evidenced by the recent official working visit of His Excellency, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the President of the Republic of Malawi.

Minister Naledi Pandor conveys condolences on the passing away of His Excellency, Walid Al-Moallem, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic. We would like to express our profound sadness upon learning of the demise of His Excellency, Walid Al-Moallem, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic.

South Africa embarks on Bushiri extradition process. Government is able to confirm that fugitives Mr Shepherd Bushiri and Ms Mary Bushiri did not leave South Africa aboard a flight on which President Lazarus Chakwera and his delegation travelled.

Statement by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the 44th Annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Member States of the Group of 77, 12 November 2020. South Africa expresses its congratulations to the delegation of Guyana as Chair of the Group.

South Africa condemns bomb attack at World War I cemetery in Jeddah. The South African Government has joined the international community in strongly condemning the calculated and cowardly terrorist attack on a World War I cemetery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where representatives and diplomats from several countries observed a commemoration ceremony marking the end of World War I on Wednesday, 11 November 2020.

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Buildings, Tshwane, 11 November 2020. We have not had our national family meeting for some time. It has been many months now since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in South Africa. The pandemic has caused great hardship for all our people.

South Africa sends condolences to the State of Palestine on the passing away of Dr Saeb Erekat. The South African Government wishes to express its deepest condolences to the Government and people of the State of Palestine following the passing on of Dr Saeb Erekat.

Opening Remarks by Minister Naledi Pandor on occasion of the Political Consultations with the Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madame Marie Ntumba Nzeza, on 10 November 2020, Cape Town. Let me to start by extending a warm welcome to my counterpart, Madame Marie Tumba Nzeza, of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Minister Pandor to host her DRC counterpart for Political Consultations

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will tomorrow, Tuesday, 10 November 2020, host her Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) counterpart, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Ms Marie Tumba Nzeza, for Political Consultations.

Minister Pandor to participate on the African Forum on Women Peace and Security

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will, today, 10 November 2020, at 13h00 participate in the African Forum on Women Peace and Security event.

Minister Naledi Pandor represents the South African Government on the occasion of South Africa's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with South East Asian nations, Cape Town, South Africa, 10 November 2020.

Photos: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Minister Pandor to represent South Africa as the country accedes to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with South East Asian nations

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will represent the South African Government on the occasion of our country’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with South East Asian nations.

Statement on virtual Cabinet Meeting of 4 November 2020. Issues in the environment - Economy - The 2020 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement presented by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni on Wednesday, 28 October 2020, sets out a course that limits the operational spending of government.

President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulates Dr John Pombe Magufuli as President-elect of the United Republic of Tanzania. Chairperson of the Africa Union, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, has offered his congratulations to Dr John Pombe Magufuli on his election as the President-elect of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes participates in the United Nations (UN) Security Council High-Level Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Contemporary Drivers of Conflict and Insecurity, New York, USA, 3 November 2020.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

Statement delivered by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, during the UN Security Council High-Level Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Contemporary Drivers of Conflict and Insecurity, 3 November 2020. Mr President and Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Your Excellency Ralph Gonsalves, thank you for convening this meeting.

Deputy Minister Botes to host a Bilateral Meeting with the French Minister Delegate Franck Riester. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Mr Franck Riester, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness on Tuesday, 03 November 2020.

South Africa’s Vote on Women Peace and Security Resolution at the United Nations Security Council. An article in The Guardian newspaper of 30 November 2020, incorrectly suggested that the Russian sponsored UN Security Council resolution reversed years of progress in the women peace and security UN agenda.

Minister Naledi Pandor leads a webinar commemorating the 75th anniversary of the formation of the United Nations (UN), Pretoria, South Africa, 30 October 2020.

Photos: Jacoline Schoonees / DIRCO

Welcome Remarks by HE Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of DIRCO-UN Webinar United Nations Day commemoration: “The importance of multilateralism in building back better for a post-COVID-19 world”, Friday, 30 October 2020. I wish to warmly welcome you all to this joint DIRCO-UN webinar themed: “The importance of multilateralism in building back better for a post-COVID-19 world.”

Panel Discussion Remarks by HE Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of DIRCO-UN Webinar United Nations Day commemoration: “The importance of multilateralism in building back better for a post-COVID-19 world”, 30 October 2020. On 24 October, South Africa joined the international community in observing United Nations (UN) Day, which marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

Minister Pandor to lead webinar commemorating UN Day

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, is scheduled to lead a webinar on Friday, 30 October 2020, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the formation of the United Nations (UN). UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Video Teleconference (VTC) Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, 29 October 2020. We thank Secretary-General, António Guterres, for his statement and welcome the briefings from Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women, Ms Danai Gurira; Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Adviser in UNISFA, Ms Nataliia Emelianova; as well as the Head of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation, Ms Zarqa Yaftali.

South Africa and the Netherlands co-host successful virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue. South Africa and the Netherlands, in partnership with the EastWest Institute and Research ICT Africa, co-hosted a successful virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue for Southern Africa on Tuesday, 27 October 2020.

Statement on the Virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Negotiating Parties of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) held on 27 October 2020. At the behest of His Excellency, Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the African Union, Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, and Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council hosted a virtual meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Water and Irrigation Affairs of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Negotiating Parties, namely, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Sudan, on Tuesday, 27 October 2020.

South Africa and the Netherlands to co-host a virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue for Southern Africa. South Africa and the Netherlands in partnership with the EastWest Institute and Research ICT Africa will co-host a virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue for Southern Africa on Tuesday, 27 October 2020.

South Africa welcomes the 50th ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). South Africa welcomes the 50th ratification on 24 October 2020 of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) allowing it to enter into force.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Video Teleconference Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, 26 October 2020. Thank you, Mr President for giving me the floor. We express our appreciation to Deputy Minister Vershinin for chairing our meeting.

SADC Day of Solidarity with the Republic of Zimbabwe. Today, 25 October, marks the day in which the Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) united in their resolve in calling for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

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 on the virtual Cabinet Meeting of 21 October 2020. Issues in the environment - Economy - The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan that President Cyril Ramaphosa presented to a Joint Hybrid Sitting of Parliament on Thursday, 15 October 2020, requires all sectors to roll up their sleeves and work together to stabilise our economy.

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).