President directs evacuation of South Africans from China following Corona Virus outbreak. President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the repatriation of South African citizens from Wuhan city in Hubei province, China. Cabinet has decided on this course of action after due consideration of the circumstances, and following several requests from the families of South Africans in the city.

Deputy Minister Botes concludes working visit to Geneva. The Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, has concluded his working visit to Geneva, Switzerland, where he led a South African delegation at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council from 24-26 February 2020.

Statement by H. E. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the High Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, 26 February 2020. During 2020 we will be commemorating a number of milestones including the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the 25th anniversary of its indefinite extension.

Statement by the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Ambassador Jerry Matjila, at the Briefing of the Security Council on Non-Proliferation: supporting the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) ahead of the 2020 Review Conference, 26 February 2020. We thank Under Secretary General Izumi Nakamitsu and the President of the NPT Review Conference, Gustavo Zlauvinen, for their briefings.

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the Panel Discussion commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women: “Accelerating the Commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, Geneva, 25 February 2020. South Africa appreciates the efforts of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in initiating this dialogue at a time when the world is commemorating 25 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; and when Africa marks the end of the Decade of African Women.

Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the Ambassadors of the African Group of the UN Human Rights Council, 25 February 2020, Geneva. Permit me to express my appreciation to you for the warm reception accorded to me here this morning and for the opportunity to address you following South Africa’s assumption of the Chairpersonship of our august continental Organisation, the African Union (AU).

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the High-Level Panel National Statement during the 43rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, 24 February 2020. 30 years ago Nelson Mandela was released from prison and liberation movements were unbanned after decades of struggle against Apartheid, a Crime Against Humanity.

South African Statement on the High-Level Mainstreaming Panel under the theme "Thirty Years of Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Challenges and Opportunities", HRC43, Geneva, 24 February 2020. In 2019, South Africa joined other member states in various commemorative events in New York and Geneva celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Deputy Minister Botes to participate in the High-Level Segment UN Human Rights Council. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will participate in the High-Level Segment of the 43rd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council from 24-26 February 2020.

Opening Remarks by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Bilateral Consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Prof Augusto Santos Silva, 21 February 2020, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa and to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union on the agreement between H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar to form a Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan. The Chairperson of the African Union, President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, welcomes the agreement reached today between H.E. Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement - In Opposition (SPLM-IO) to form a Transitional Government of National Unity, in accordance with the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Statement by the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations during the UN Security Council Briefing on the Political Situation in Syria, Wednesday, 19 February 2020. Let me begin by thanking Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for his informative briefing on the political situation in Syria.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Meeting on Ukraine, 18 February 2020. Thank you for facilitating today’s discussion as per the Russian Federation’s letter dated 13 April 2014.

Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council Briefing on Yemen, 18 February 2020. We thank the Special Envoy Martin Griffiths (VTC), USG Lowcock (OCHA) and Ambassador King as Chair of the Yemen sanctions committee for their briefings.

Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Annual Ubuntu Awards 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, 15 February 2020. It is always a privilege to attend these awards, which celebrate the men and women who play such a pivotal role in promoting the interests of our country beyond our shores.

President to address Ubuntu Awards Ceremony

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Saturday 15 February 2020, deliver the keynote address at the annual Ubuntu Awards which are hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosts the annual Ubuntu Awards for 2020, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.

Photo: Yandisa Monakali / DIRCO

DIRCO to host the 2020 edition of the Ubuntu Awards

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 February 2020.

Statement by Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, Tuesday, 11 February 2020. South Africa welcomes the President of the State of Palestine, H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas, to the Security Council and thanks him for his impassioned statement as well as the statements of Secretary-General Guterres and his Special Coordinator for the Middle East, Mr Nicolay Mladenov.

Acceptance Statement by South African President H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa on assuming the Chair of the African Union for 2020, 33rd Session of the African Union Assembly, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 09 February 2020. I stand before you immensely humbled by this great honour that has been bestowed on South Africa. On behalf of the men and women of South Africa I graciously accept your collective decision that I should Chair the AU in 2020.

Acceptance Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government, 8 February 2020. It is both a privilege and an immense honour to address this distinguished gathering of Heads of States and Government; who out of commitment to realizing an Africa that is at peace with itself, stable and characterized by good governance, voluntarily joined the APRM.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini scheduled for a Back-to-School outreach in Mpumalanga

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, will on Friday, 07 February 2020, embark on a “back-to-school” outreach at Manzini Combined School in Mpumalanga. The event will be held under the theme: “Supporting the change that education brings into the lives of children”.

President conveys condolences at passing of President Moi. President Cyril Ramaphosa has on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa expressed his sadness at the passing of former Kenyan President His Excellency Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.

Keynote Address by Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the Book Launch of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), Pretoria, 03 February 2020. Let me start by thanking the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) for this kind invitation to address the launch of its Geopolitics book, ‘Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics’.

Minister Pandor to deliver a keynote address at the launch of the Mapungubwe Institute’s Publication: Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will, this evening, Monday, 03 February 2020, deliver a keynote address at the launch of the Mapungubwe Institute’s (MISTRA) Publication, called Africa and the World: Navigating Shifting Geopolitics.

Joint Communiqué of the Inaugural Meeting of the South Africa – The Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation, 3 February 2020. South Africa and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation on 19 November 2015, which provides for regular meetings chaired by the Ministers or Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in order to facilitate consultation and cooperation in various fields.

Minister Pandor to host her Netherlands counterpart for a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC)

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will on Monday, 03 February 2020 host the Foreign Minister of Netherlands, Mr Stef Blok for the inaugural meeting of South Africa – Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini scheduled for a Back-to-School outreach in Limpopo

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, will on Monday, 03 February 2020, embark on a “back-to-school” outreach in Mookgopong, Limpopo, Province.

Statement by the Minister of Health Statement on the Coronavirus. The South African government wishes to assure all citizens that we are continuously monitoring all developments regarding the corona virus outbreak, not only in the country but worldwide. Information is being provided by the various stakeholders including other multilateral organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 31 January 2020. Statement on the Special Cabinet Meeting held at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, Pretoria on Friday, 31 January 2020.

South Africa’s Statement on the United States Proposed Middle-East Peace Plan. The Government of the Republic of South Africa notes the announcement of a peace plan by the United States aimed at resolving the longstanding Israeli – Palestinian conflict.

Remarks by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, at the Lunch of the African Heads of Diplomatic Mission on 29 January 2020 at the Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria. It is a great honour that I speak here today on behalf of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor. As you are familiar with the diplomatic business of government, one has to be in different locations at any given time.

Closing Remarks by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Mashego-Dlamini, at the DIRCO-Hosted Africa Heads of Mission Conference, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 28 January 2020. Thank you very much for this rewarding exercise that opened up a useful platform for the sharing of strategic ideas as South Africa prepares to take up a challenging but deserved role as the Chair of the African Union in this coming term.

Welcome Remarks by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Dr Naledi Pandor, at the DIRCO-Hosted Africa Heads of Mission Conference, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 28 January 2020. Thank you for joining us for this preparatory session on the historic leadership role our nation is about to embark on as the next chair of the African Union.

President Ramaphosa to address the South African Heads of Missions Conference in Pretoria

Members of the media are invited to the opening session of the "South African Heads of Missions accredited to African countries" Conference to be held on Tuesday, 28 January 2020, at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria.

Deputy Minster Botes embarks on a Back-to-School campaign

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, is embarking on a “back to school” campaign aimed at encouraging learners to focus on their education, which has been identified as one government’s key priorities.

Deadline for Ubuntu Awards 2020 nominations. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the annual Ubuntu Awards in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 February 2020, under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence in Diplomacy – Working Together to Build a Better Africa and a Better World”.