1 annual report 2007/2008 presentation to the portfolio committee on foreign affairs dr a ntsaluba...

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Annual Report 2007/2008

Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs

Dr A Ntsaluba Director-General

Cape Town22 October 2008

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Introduction

• Key strategic priorities for the reporting year were– Consolidation of the African Agenda– South-South Co-operation– North-South Dialogue– Participate in the Global System of Governance – Bilateral Relations– Organisational Strengthening

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Human Resources

• ORGANISATIONAL STRENGTHENING

Human Resources - Contents– Organisational establishment– Recruitment and Selection– Talent Management– Foreign Service– Performance Management and Development System– Employment Equity and Organisational Culture– Employee Wellness– Labour Relations– HR Strategic priorities 2008/9

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Human Resources

Recruitment and Selection

- DFA filled 429 posts during the reporting period, see next slide

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ORGANISATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT Establishment as at 31 March 2008

Head Office and MissionsCOMPONENT TOTAL POSTS FILLED VACANT

HEAD OFFICE 1907 1485 422 MISSION 737 634 103 HR POOL 0 39 0 CADET 0 59 0 TOTAL 2644 2217 525 Steps taken to fill funded vacancies: Advertised: 370 Filled: 429

External Appointments: 280 Internal Promotions: 149

Total: 429

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Representivity: Employment Equity Table

Male Female Management Level

A C I W A C I W Total

Top management 7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 10* Senior management 95 9 14 36 55 4 2 16 231

Middle Management 282 26 31 180 230 19 33 186 987

Below Assistant Director

310 17 10 28 470 23 17 111 986

Total 694 52 58 244 755 46 52 313 2214

Disability 9 1 1 12 7 1 0 3 34

*The total number 2214 excludes 3 Political Office Bearers

ORGANISATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT

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Representivity: Employment Equity Table

Male Female Occupational Band A C I W A C I W

Total

Top management 7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 10 Senior management 95 9 14 36 55 4 2 16 231 Prof qualified and experienced specialists and mid-management

116 17 18 153 86 9 16 116 531

Skilled technical/academically qualified workers, junior management, supervisors, foremen, superintendents

316 19 23 52 384 27 33 178 1032

Semi-skilled/discretionary decision-making

128 7 0 3 179 6 1 2 326

Unskilled/defined decision-making 32 0 0 0 51 0 0 1 84 Total 694 52 58 244 755 46 52 313 2214

* The total number 2214 excludes 3 Political Office Bearers

ORGANISATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT

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DIPLOMAT OFFICERS RETURNED DECEMBER 2007

• Number due to return December 2007 97

• Number returned December 2007 61

• Number of whose term was extended 36

• Number of replacements identified 40

• Replacement not identified 21

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MEASURES TO FILL VACANCIES IN MISSIONS

• Extensions

• Advertisement

• Intermission-Transfers.

• Re-advertisement of remaining vacancies at end of January 2008

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Talent Management

As part of its attraction and retention strategy, the DFAparticipated in the following activities:

• Employer Branding – DFA featured in journals on 2008 Companies of The Future as

an employer of choice and was rated fourth amongst humanities students.

– The SABC Career Fairs for Grades 10-12– Visits to institutes of higher learning

• Career management and retention of talent.– Commenced with the design and development of a web-based

Career Centre. – Consulted widely on the draft Retention Strategy.

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Foreign Service Dispensation

• Concluded the negotiations on the revision of the Foreign Service Dispensation

• Implementation of the new Foreign Service Dispensation

• Continued with negotiations for a single medical aid service provider to cover transferred employees.

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Performance Management

• Reviewed implementation of PMDS for LRP

• Continued with training on PMDS to Head Office employees.

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Performance Management (cont)Outcomes of PMDS

SALARY BAND

TOTAL NO OF EMPLOYEES

TOTAL MODERATED

TOTAL NOT MODERATED

BELOW SATISFACTORY

SATISFACTORY

COMMENDAB LE

OUTSTANDING

SMS 237 204(86%)

33 (14%)

2 (1%) 162 (79%)

37 (18%)

3 (2%)

BELOW SMS

1836 1496 (81%)

340 (19%)

14 (1%)

1074 (72%)

387 (26%)

21 (1%)

TOTAL*

2073 1700 (82%)

373 (18%)

16 (1%)

1236 (73%)

424(25%)

24 (1%)

* The number of employees that are used in this Table reflects the reporting period of 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 and the total excludes 3 Political Office Bearers

REASONS FOR NON-MODERATION:1. SMS CDIRS= 3 did not submit , 2 terminated, 1 contract, 1 transferred, 1 new appointment.• DIRS= 1 unpaid leave, 1 deployed, 7 did not submit, 9 terminated and 7 new appointment.

2. BELOW SMS: •163 new appointments, 163 did not submit, 2 resigned, 1 incapacity leave & 3 maternity leave & 8 terminated.

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Employment Equity & Organisational Culture

• Employment Equity Plan developed and implemented

• Employment Equity measures focused on increasing representation of women at SMS level and people with disabilities

• Organisational Culture and Climate survey feedback provided to Head Office

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Employee Wellness

• Developed and adopted the Employee Health and Wellness strategy.

• Implemented the electronic health care system for all employees.• Conducted a survey on employees’ knowledge, attitudes, practices

and behaviours (KAPB) on HIV and AIDS. The findings and recommendations informed the reviewed Departmental HIV and AIDS programme

• Established the Wellness Committee comprising of different stakeholders within the Department.

• Continues to implement programmes aimed at promoting health and

wellness e.g. conducted health assessments for Senior Managers.

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Labour Relations

• Labour Relations Framework was adopted and implemented.• 22 out of 34 disciplinary cases finalised• 9 disciplinary cases have been finalised since April 2008 • There are currently 12 disciplinary cases before the Department

(See Table below) • 16 out of 21 grievances resolved. • All 5 disputes finalised in favour of the Department, 6 disputes still

outstanding. • The former Ambassador in Palestine returned to HO in 2006.

Following consultation with him, no disciplinary action was deemed necessary

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Labour Relations

Disciplinary Cases Currently Before The Department

Case No.

Nature of misconduct Status at September 2008 Branch/Mission

1. Alleged domestic violence Awaiting outcome of appeal Human Resources

2. Alleged irregularities regarding the procurement of security services for the Mission

The case is still under investigation.

Uganda

3. Allegations relating to financial irregularities in the Mission.

Awaiting the investigation report.

Mexico

4. Alleged insolence or disrespectful conduct towards the supervisor

Awaiting outcome of appeal. Public Diplomacy

5. Alleged to have solicited a bribe

Investigation to be conducted during November.

Jeddah

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Labour Relations


Case No.


6. Alleged sexual harassment (Sending sexually explicit e-mails to a female colleague)

Investigation completed. Investigating officer to draft the charges

Corporate Services

7. Alleged dereliction of duty at the security gate

Awaiting the report from the Investigating officer

Corporate Services

8. Alleged dereliction of duty at the security gate

Awaiting the report from the Investigating officer

Corporate Services

9. Alleged to have claimed for social grant whilst in the employ of government

Awaiting report from Investigating officer

Corporate Services

10. Alleged assault and intimidation to fellow colleagues

Awaiting report from Investigating officer

Corporate Services

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Labour Relations


Case No.


11. Alleged abusive, vulgar

and racist remarks against

LRP and other staff in the

Mission.

Employee recalled from Mission. Disciplinary action pending against the employee.

Palestine

12. Alleged offensive utterances against local nationals and intimidation of LRP

Investigation completed and report with recommendations submitted

Syria

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LEGAL CASES THAT ARE BEFORE THE COURTS

• Gangat v Minister of Foreign Affairs: Claim for contractual damages of R2,5 million in the Pretoria High Court for being recalled from Ramallah prematurely;

• Sobazile v Minister of Foreign Affairs: Application in the Labour Court regarding promotion and reimbursement of money due in terms thereof;

• Ngaki v Minister of Foreign Affairs: Application in the Labour Court regarding promotion and reimbursement of money due in terms thereof;

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• Pitso v Minister of Foreign Affairs: Application in the Labour Court to challenge his discharge from the public service for having absconded;

• Minister of Foreign Affairs v Madigage: Application in the Labour Court to take an arbitration award on review;

• Von Abo v Government of the RSA: High Court application for diplomatic protection regarding Von Abo’s dispute with the Zimbabwean Government relating to the expropriation of his farms;

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• Nogqala v Minister of Foreign Affairs: Application in the Labour Court to challenge his dismissal after having been found guilty of misconduct;

• Holmes v Republic of South Africa: Claim for pension benefits instituted by a locally recruited personnel member in the Labour Court of Santiago against the South African Embassy;

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HR: STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2008/9

• Effective Organisational arrangements.

• Efficient Recruitment, Selection, Placement and Induction processes.

• Enabling Career Development and Succession Management.

• Effective leadership and management of people.

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DFA - Annual Financial Statements – 31 March 2008

• Revenue– Annual Allocation R 4,119

billion– Other Revenue R65 million

• Actual Expenditure 2007/08 Financial Year

APPROPRIATION PER PROGRAMME

Budget Actual Variance Programmes R’000 R’000 R’000

Programme 1: Administration Programme 2: Foreign Relations Programme 3: Public Dip & Protocol Programme 4: International Transfers.

1, 202 669

2,129 516

141 621 645 257

1,181 310

2, 122 820

141 547 624 056

21 359 6 696

74 21 201

Total (98,80% expended) 4, 119 063

4,069 733

49 330

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Appropriation per Economic Classification

Budget Actual Variance Economic classification R’000 R’000 R’000

Current payments Transfers and Subsidies Payment on Capital Assets.

2, 671 463

688 517

759 083

2, 674 723

666 865

728 145

(3260)

21 652

30 938

Total (98,8 expended) 4 119 063 4 069 733 49 330

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Analysis of Under Expenditure -2007/08

• Department utilised 98,8% of its Budget

• Under expenditure only related to:

• Capital works projects (Bujumbura, SA House London, Lilongwe)

• Fees to International Organisations (AU)

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MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

• Information Communication Technology (Almost complete deployment)

• Head Office Building

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Head Office Building

• The scope of the project encompasses:

• provision of office accommodation for the full Head Office staff complement

• together with appropriate staff wellness facilities necessary for the Department of fulfil its mandate

• a training facility to replace the present Diplomatic Academy• a conference centre seating 400 delegates to accommodate the

many local and international conferences hosted by SA through the Department

• the upgrading of the existing diplomatic guest house• the construction of a new guest house on the Soutpansberg site• Department engaged with Preferred Bidder and negotiated the

project documentation• Draft documentation was submitted to National Treasury and

inputs were received

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Head Office Building

• It is expected that Treasury Approval 3 and Financial Close will be reached during October 2008

• Department entered into Early Works Agreement with contractor in order to fix the construction price, limit government exposure to forex changes and fix the project’s completion date

• At the end of the Financial Year, bulk excavations were completed, basements were completed and the superstructure far advanced.

Head Office Building (cont)

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Management of Fixed Assets

• Consolidation of all property related activities in newly created CD: Property and Facilities Management

• Developed and commenced with implementation of a property acquisition strategy to guide acquisition of properties

• Construction of Chanceries and Official Residences continued in (three) countries – Lesotho, Nigeria and Ethiopia

• Projects in Design in 6 (six) countries – Mali, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana and Swaziland

• Acquired land in Riyadh for Chancery and Official Residence, identified a property in New York and purchased a Chancery in Brussels

• Maintained, refurbished and performed minor and major construction works in 5 (five) countries - Zimbabwe, Namibia, Belgium, Brazil (Sao Paulo and Brasilia), Malawi

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Management of Fixed Assets (Continued)

• Opened missions in 3 (three) countries - Niger (Niamey), Mauritania (Nouakchott) and Guinea Bissau (Bissau)

• Valued all land and buildings and updated the Fixed Asset Register. A phased approach to asset management has been progressing since the enactment of the PFMA

• During the year under review, the Department continued to improve its progress in relation to Asset Management

• The Department developed an Asset Management Strategy which led to a number of initiatives

• Based on the Asset Management strategy the Department embarked on a special project with regard to the enhancement of the asset register

• This project included finalising the asset management policy and procedures, verifying assets and updating the asset register, and valuing assets that have high value or assets that either retain or increase in value

• The project was a success. There were no matters raised in the final audit opinion

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• During the financial year 2007/08 the Department also developed an Asset Management Strategy for the period 2008/9 to 2010/11

• The strategy deals in the main with acquisitions and disposals,

maintenance of properties and the valuing of high value assets

Management of Fixed Assets (Continued)

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Programme of ActionRelated to shortcomings identified in previous Audit

• Debt Management:

Continued with process of submitting claims to partner departments revamped; Memorandum of Understanding with departments developed, which provide payment of advances as well as dispute resolution mechanisms

• Performance information: Framework for monitoring of performance information designed. A

committee to oversee this aspect appointed and Units are preparing their quarterly reports and a half yearly review for the department done. Quality Assurance Review Process.

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Programme of Action

OTHER GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES

• Accelerating: Policies, processes and procedures in Supply Chain Management and other areas within DFA

• Risk management processes to be strengthened• Scheduled Audit Committee meeting and Ad-hoc Audit

Committee meetings on ICT AND HR matters• Audit Steering Committee: Consolidated Internal Audit and A-G

findings and recommendations to be implemented in all missions for uniformity and compliance with prescripts

• ICT Steering Committee

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African Renaissance and International Cooperation FundAnnual Financial Statements as at 31 March 2008

• Revenue and Expenditure

– Income R 336,306 million– Expenditure R 352,172 million

• Auditor-General’s Report

Unqualified Audit Report with no matters of emphasis

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Consular Services

• Completed the development and testing of four CMS processes (ROSA, Miscellaneous Case Management, Detainees/Prisoners and Process Work)

• Piloted CMS in London and Washington involving 12 Missions

• Trained 266 (Transferred and LRP’s) officials on CMS at Eskom Convention Centre

• Legalised 21,611 South African public documents for submission in foreign countries by private individuals and business companies

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Consular Services

• Continued to provide consular services to SA citizens abroad. Highlights are:

• Assisted with the repatriation of mortal remains from Cameroon of 2 SA citizens who died in a light aircraft accident

• Assisted the Cameroon Government with identification of the mortal remains of passengers of a Kenya Airways aircraft

• Assisted families of seven SA citizens and two citizens permanently residing in SA, who died in the Kenya Airways incident

• Assisted in consultation with the Department of Social Development, families of prisoners abroad to return children born in prisons to South Africa.

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Protocol and Public Diplomacy

State Protocol• Key strategic priorities for the reporting year were

– Provide an effective visit management system– Effective management of intergovernmental liaison– Effective State Protocol Logistics Management System

• SA’s international profile continued to grow during the reporting period with concomitant increase in the volume of interaction at all levels with the international community

• In this regard, State Protocol coordinated a total number of 216 incoming and outgoing visits

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State Protocol (cont)

• Continued to provide support to Provinces and Local Municipalities on International programmes. In this regard, 235 outgoing international visits were facilitated

• Similarly, State Protocol through its State Protocol Lounges situated in OR Tambo and Cape Town, facilitated a total number of 25 148 VIP guests

• Finalised the construction and acquisition of the appropriate State Protocol Lounges and relocated in May of 2008

• The Branch developed predictable systems and policies to ensure consistent and standardised protocols

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State Protocol (cont)

• 2010 World Cup related projects were increasingly performed

• Upgrading of Diplomatic guesthouse projects are in advanced stages

• State Protocol has logistically arranged 1 Summit, 4 Ministerial Conferences and 4 Senior Official Meetings during this period

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Regulating the Diplomatic Community

• Approximately 10 330 diplomats, consular, administration and technical staff members with their dependants are currently represented in South Africa

• 3 Multilateral organisations opened offices in South Africa

• Department of Home Affairs transferred issuance of Substitution Temporary residence permits for Diplomats to Department Foreign Affairs

• SAPS Diplomatic Policing Unit was launched to improve protection and security of Diplomats in South Africa

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Consolidation of the African Agenda

• African Integration Process

• SA actively participating in debates on harmonisation & rationalisation of RECs

• South Africa hosted Brainstorming Retreat of African Ministers of Foreign Affairs, May 2007

• Implementation of AU Gender Declaration• Coordinating SA’s Annual Activity Report on Implementation of

AU Gender Declaration. Report due for Submission during Jan/Feb AU Summit

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• Support Pan African Parliament• 9th Session was successfully held & preparations for 10th session

underway• Provided financial, technical & logistical support to PAP during

its Bureau meetings & Sessions held in May & October 2007.• Design of new parliament adjudicated after a continent-wide

design competition.• DFA design team has been appointed to oversee building

construction • Engagement with African Diaspora

• African Diaspora Regional Consultative Workshops held in London, New York, Bahamas, Paris & Addis Ababa during 2007.

• Senior Officials & Civil Society conference held in November 2007.

• Successfully hosted Africa Diaspora Ministerial at Gallagher Estate in November 2007.

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• Hosted a technical workshop meeting comprising of technical experts from all over world

• African Diaspora Summit postponed

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Consolidation of the African Agenda• Promote the implementation of NEPAD• SA participated in NEPAD HSGIC & AU summit discussions aimed

at integration of NEPAD into AU structures & processes – approved by AU in February 2008

• SA continued to support implementation of NEPAD programmes in SA, SADC region & African continent, with emphasis on NEPAD priority sectors

• National NEPAD Projects conference hosted in October 2007, focussing on rollout of NEPAD spatial & infrastructure development programmes, linked to implementation of SADC RISDP

• SA peer review by APRM Forum conducted in July 2007. DFA supported DPSA in implementation of SA APRM Programme of Action

• Internationally, SA played leading role in solidifying NEPAD global partnerships within South-South & South-North cooperation, i.e. UN (62nd Session), APF (May & November 2007), FOCAC (September 2007), IBSA (October 2007), TICAD (October 2007 & March 2008) & Africa-Europe (December 2007)

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African Renaissance Fund

• SA continued to utilise African Renaissance & International Co-operation Fund (ARF) in support of African Renaissance vision, serving as a catalyst for development projects in African countries.

• Key activities included:• Ongoing assistance to DRC including capacity building• Funding of projects in Comoros, Sudan & Western Sahara• Southern Sudan Capacity Building Project with UNISA• The demolition of unexploded ordinance devices in Mozambique• Humanitarian Assistance to Western Sahara• Contributing to SADC Observer Mission to Zimbabwe General

Elections• Funding of African Economic Research

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African Renaissance Fund (cont)

• Funding rice production & technical assistance projects in Guinea

• Funding of anti-drug trafficking efforts in Guinea

• Funding of continuation of Burundi peace process• Assistance in Hosting of Commonwealth Heads of Government

Meeting (CHOGM) in Republic of Uganda.

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• Promote Regional Integration and Development through SADC and SACU

• Regional Integration remained a priority in SADC agenda during 2007/8

• The task team from dti, dfa & Treasury prepared positions & co-ordinated SA’s interventions on regional economic integration

• SADC established SADC Brigade & moved significantly towards establishing Regional Early Warning Centre

• Democratisation process in DRC & political situation in Zimbabwe dominated SADC’s political agenda

• SA supported the creation of an additional post of Deputy Executive Secretary responsible for regional integration as well as review of the SADC Secretariat structure

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• Peace Building• Effective support provided to the Facilitator of the Burundi Peace

Process, Minister Charles Nqakula, and the Political Directorate in peace-making efforts in Burundi, to bring the Palipehutu-FNL back into the peace process, and in facilitating negotiations between the two conflicting Parties

• Preparation for post-conflict projects in support of the immediate post-conflict phase of peace-building in Burundi.

• Preparation for trilateral cooperation projects in the medium and long term phases of peace-building in Burundi.

• The provision of a South African presence in Goma in the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) in support of peace-making efforts in the Eastern DRC, in accordance with the commitments of the Nairobi Communiqué

• Contribution to election monitoring in the Zimbabwe election.

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Strengthen South-South Co-operation

• Active Engagement in the NAM and G77 and China

• SA used these fora to promote, inter alia, – the African Agenda, – work towards the attainment of the UN Millenium Development

Goals– advocate the reform of the UN and its organs and – promote and protect human rights

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• SA advanced the development agenda of the South through active participation in south groupings such as:

• IBSA• SA hosted the 2nd IBSA Summit in Tshwane• The 2nd IBSA Summit in 2007 saw the conclusion and signing of 7

Trilateral Agreements and MoU’s– Public Administration and Governance; Customs and Tax

Administration; Cultural Cooperation; Higher Education; Wind Resources; Health and Medicines; and Social Development

• The scope of Trilateral cooperation was widened and deepened through the establishment of additional intergovernmental working groups on Human Settlement Development as well as on Climate Change and Environment, and the establishment of Civil Society trilateral interactive Fora in a Women’s Forum, a Parliamentary Forum; and a Business Council, aside from Academic Seminar and Civil Society Seminar.

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• NEW ASIAN AFRICAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP (NAASP)

• Egypt withdrew its offer to host the NAASP Ministerial Meeting and it was agreed by the Co-Hosts (SA and Indonesia) that SA will host the next Ministerial Meeting back-to-back with the 2nd NAASP Summit in SA, but work at officials level continues

• SA and Indonesia agreed to Co-Host a NAASP Palestine Capacity Building Project in July 2008

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North-South Dialogue

G8• SA actively engaged with the G8 to galvanise support for Africa and

NEPAD• SA participated in the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, where

the G8, inter alia, committed US$ 60 billion to strengthen health systems in Africa

• G8 adopted a Declaration of “Growth and Responsibility in Africa” which spells out detailed interventions to support the Continent

• Establishment of the Heiligendamm Dialogue Process that brings together the G8, SA, Brazil, China, India and Mexico, to generate consensus on issues of energy, innovation, investment and development, with regard to Africa

• The Minister attended a TICAD IV Ministerial Summit in Libreville, Gabon in March 2008 to finalise the “Yokohama Declaration” in anticipation of the TICAD Summit of 2008

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Participate in the Global System of Governance

• Participation as a non-permanent member of the UNSC• SA focused on African issues that are on the agenda of the SC in

line with its foreign policy objectives to support conflict resolution, reconciliation, reconstruction and development activities in Africa

• SA sought to help improve the working methods of the SC, including its transparency and accountability vis-à-vis the UN membership

• SA positively influenced a number of Council resolutions and presidential statements on issues relating to Sudan, Somalia, Western Sahara et al

• Re Cote d’Ivoire, SA contributed to secure the support of the SC for the Ouagadougou Agreement between the Ivorian parties

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• Participation as a non-permanent member of the UNSC (cont)

• In Sudan, SA was involved in efforts to secure the deployment of a hybrid AU/UN peacekeeping operation

• In Rwanda, it succeeded in persuading the Council to lift some of the residual sanctions

• SA was instrumental in arranging a joint meeting between the AU’s Peace and Security Council and the UNSC in Addis Ababa

• SA pursued discussions on ways to strengthen the relationship between the UN and regional organisations, in particular the AU

• SA was appointed the lead nation in the SC on Timor-Leste.

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• Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control• SA participated in meetings of the IAEA. Most important issues

considered by the IAEA Board included the implementation of NPT safeguards in Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

• SA participated in meetings of the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC)

• SA continued to participate in global efforts aimed at addressing the issue of cluster munitions “that cause unacceptable harm to civilians”

• SA participates in the Group of Governmental Experts deliberations of High Contracting Parties to the Certain Conventional Weapons Convention (CCW) which has been mandated to “negotiate a proposal to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions”

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Chairing of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)• SA hosted the NSG Plenary meeting in Cape Town in April 2007 as

a member of the Troika until 2009. SA continues to actively participate

Reform of the UN System in order to strengthen multilateralism• In September 2007 SA, Sweden, Thailand and Chile (Four Nations

Initiative) presented 32 recommendations to Members of the General Assembly, aimed at contributing to the debate on promoting enhanced transparency and accountability in the activities of the UN Secretariat

• The initiative formed the basis of further informal debates initiated by the President of the General Assembly in furthering the debate on Management and Secretariat reform

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Adherence to and Promotion of International Law

• The Office of the Chief State Law Adviser (International Law) attended to, inter alia, the amendment of the 2001 Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act, as well as various aspects relating to the International Criminal Court, the Law Of the Sea, climate change and terrorism

• SA is preparing its claim for an extended continental shelf in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

• The Legal Office has been reconfirmed by Cabinet as the custodian of the official SA Treaty Register

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• Promotion of SA candidacies for election to international organisations

• A database, to enable all stakeholders to take informed and co-ordinated decisions on candidatures, has been established.

• Humanitarian Assistance• SA continued to contribute to the UN’s Central Emergency

Response Fund (CERF). SA currently serves as vice-chair to the CERF Advisory Group

• SA participated in a debate on the reform of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) aimed at making the FAO more effective in dealing with food security issues, especially in Africa

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• Human Rights and the implementation of Humanitarian Law• The dfa co-hosted the Seventh Regional International Committee of

the Red Cross (ICRC) Seminar on the implementation of International Humanitarian Law during June 2007

• SA facilitated the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Adequate Housing to SA during April 2007

• SA hosted the 4th World Congress of Rural Women in Durban from 20 – 25 April 2007

• SA ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol on 30 November 2007

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• Environment• SA continued to contribute to the accomplishment of the MDGs, in

particular poverty reduction, through participating in various UN Conventions for the environment, such as UNFCC (Climate Change)

• During the Conference of the Parties of CITES, SA and its SADC partners obtained international approval to trade in elephant tusks with Japan as the only trading partner

• SA participated in the 13th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 3rd Meeting of the Parties of the Kyoto Protocol during December 2007 in Bali, Indonesia. The Bali Roadmap sets the framework and end date of 2009 for negotiations towards strengthening the climate regime post 2012

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Middle East Peace Process and Iraq• SA remains committed to supporting international efforts aimed at

bringing about the establishment of a viable Palestinian State, existing side by side in peace with Israel within secure and internationally recognised borders

• SA’s efforts to achieve this objective were severely hampered by the conflict between Fatah and Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza and the allegations of corruption against then Israeli Prime Minister Olmert resulting in his stepping down as leader of the Kadima Party and the new leader, ex Foreign Minister Livni, having to try and form a new coalition government

• SA’s commitment to the MEPP is illustrated by the hosting of a UN Africa Conference on Palestine in May 2007, the Minister attending the Annapolis Israeli-Palestinian Peace Conference in November 2007 and South Africa pledging financial assistance for the reconstruction of Palestine, both bilaterally and through IBSA, at the Paris Donor Conference in December 2007

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• Middle East Peace Process and Iraq (cont)

– South Africa has become actively involved in the national reconciliation process in Iraq through hosting two delegations from that country

– A high level Iraqi parliamentary delegation is expected in early 2009

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Bilateral Relations

Africa• SA continued its role as Facilitator to the SADC-

mandated mediation process on Zimbabwe• Missions were opened in Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Niger

and Mauritania• SAA launched flight routes between Libreville, Gabon,

and Johannesburg in September 2007• SA provided humanitarian assistance to Madagascar• Signing of Agreements with various countries:

Seychelles, Sudan, Ethiopia

• Financially assisted Seychelles with infrastructure

development

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Bilateral Relations

Africa - Structured Bilaterals• SA and Malawi signed the JCC in May 2008• The 6th Session of the SA-Botswana JPCDS was held in Botswana

during October 2007• The 2nd Session of the SA-Botswana JPCC was held in SA during

November 2007• The 3rd Session of the SA-Zimbabwe JPCDS was held in SA during

November 2007• A Heads of State Economic Bilateral Forum with Mozambique was

held in SA during September 2007• The SA-Tanzania Presidential Economic Commission took place in

Tanzania during April 2007• A Ministerial Session of the JCC with Angola was held in Luanda

during November 2007

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Bilateral Relations

• Africa: Structured Bilaterals (cont)• The SA-Namibia Joint Co-operation on Defence meeting was held

in SA during September 2007 and the SA-Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral meeting was held in SA during October 2008

• The 4th Session of the BNC with the DRC was held in Kinshasa during August 2007

• SA and Ethiopia launched a JMC in March 2008• The 7th Session of the SA-Nigeria BNC was convened during the

period under review• The inaugural Session of the JCC between SA and the Republic of

Ghana was held in May 2007• The 7th JBC with Egypt took place in February 2008

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Bilateral Relations

• Asia and the Middle East• The first SA High Commissioner to Sri Lanka was appointed• Preparations are underway to open a High Commission in

Wellington with effect from Jauary 2009• SA launched the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of

Diplomatic Relations with China• SA and China cooperated through the Forum for China-Africa Co-

operation (FOCAC)• SA and China agreed on the Partnership for Growth and

Development (PGD) whose main thrust is to increase the value of SA exports to China

• In February 2008 the Minister signed an agreement with the League of Arab States (LAS), allowing the League to open a Mission in SA.

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Bilateral Relations

Asia and the Middle East - Structured Bilaterals

• The inaugural SA-Vietnam Partnership Forum was held in Hanoi during May 2007

• The inaugural SA-Indonesia JC was held in February 2008• The 7th Session of the India-SA JMC was held in Pretoria during

February 2008• Re China, the BNC, as well as the Strategic Dialogue, were held

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Bilateral Relations

Americas

• A Suriname Diplomatic mission was opened in South Africa

• Americas - Structured Bilaterals• The SA-USA Annual Bilateral Forum was held in June 2007• The 4th Annual Consultations between SA and Canada took place

at Senior Officials’ level in Ottawa in May 2007• The 5th JBC between SA and Cuba was held in Cape Town during

November 2007

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Bilateral Relations

Europe• The SA-EU Strategic Partnership was adopted. The Strategic

Partnership complements and strengthens the existing TDCA• It also complements the Africa-EU Strategy, aimed at enhancing

political dialogue between Africa and the EU.• The Africa-EU Summit held in Lisbon in December 2007 adopted

the EU Strategy for Africa as a joint Africa-EU Strategy• SA continued to participate in negotiations of the Economic

Partnership Agreements (EPAs) at the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific level

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Bilateral Relations

Europe - Structured Bilaterals• SA-Belgium JC: October 2007• SA-Sweden BNC: October 2007• SA-France Forum for Political Dialogue: February 2008• The 3rd and 4th SA-Russia ITEC Intersessionals were held in Sochi

in July 2007 and in Moscow in February 2008• The Belarusian-SA Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and

Economic Co-operation was inaugurated in Minsk in July 2007• The JC for Defence between SA and Ukraine was held in Kyiv• The 1st JEC with Turkey was held in SA in March 2008• Meetings of the SA-EU JCC were held during the reporting period

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CHALLENGES

• Challenges with respect to the Co-ordination of SA’s International Work amongst all spheres of Government

• The July 2007 Cabinet lekgotla approved a Strategic Document on the co-ordination of our International Work and the Marketing of SA abroad, to advance our economic interests

• As a result the Consultative Forum on International Relations (CFIR) was established and held two workshops during 2008– Served as a platform to conduct consiltations amongst all spheres of

government on SA’s International engagements, and to– Finalise the required guidelines on international visits as mandated by

CabinetA document entitled “Measures abd guidelines for the Enhanced Co-

ordination of SA’s International Engagements”, which is a product of extensive consultation through the CFIR and the IRPS, was finalised and will be tabled to Cabinet soon

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Annual Report 2007/2008

End of Presentation

Thank you

Committee’s Questions welcome

1 annual report 2007/2008 presentation to the portfolio committee on foreign affairs dr a ntsaluba...

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