About government - Programme of Action2008 International Relations, Peace & Security Cluster Interim report

1

CONSOLIDATION OF THE AFRICAN AGENDA

1.1

Strengthen the African Union and its Structures

1.1.1

Mobilise support for the harmonisation and rationalisation of Regional Economic Communities, as well as for the regional integration process

DFA, DME, DTI, DWAF, Housing, NT, Health

Ongoing

President Motlanthe participated in the first COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Summit on 22 Oct-08 in Uganda. This served as a platform for the harmonisation of regional integration programmes amongst the three regional organisations

1.1.2

Strengthen governance and capacity in the AU

DFA, DPSA, DTI, NT

Ongoing

The 2nd session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Sport was held in Ghana from 10-14 Oct-08. The Conference was aimed at galvanising the harmonisation of Sport programmes and activities on a continental basis

1.1.3

Support the Pan-African Parliament (PAP)

DFA, DPW, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The 10th session of the PAP took place from 27 Oct-8 Nov-08. Most of the necessary preparatory processes for the construction of the permanent building of the Pan African Parliament have been completed

1.1.4

Active engagement in the Pan African Ministers Conference for Ministers of Public Service Civil Service

DPSA, Sector Depts

Dec-08

The 6th African conference of Ministers for public service was successfully held at Midrand in Oct-08. The conference noted three key papers as the basis for the future work of Ministers

1.1.6

Engage the African Diaspora

DFA, DAC

Dec-08

Following consultations with the AUC and the South African government the African Diaspora Summit was postponed

1.1.7

Monitor migration issues

DHA, DFA

Ongoing

SA participated in the SADC UNIVISA Task Force Meeting in Gaborone, Botswana 25-28 Sep-08. A report was adopted, which specifies activities and timeframes for the implementation of the UNIVISA system by Mar-09

1.1.8

Advance AU-EU Relations

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The EPA coordination workshop was held in Ethiopia during Oct-08. Issues raised included progress on the EPA negotiations and proposals on how best to harmonise the EPA's text for the African region negotiations..

1.2

Support the implementation of NEPAD

1.2.1

Facilitate the implementation of NEPAD priority sectors (infrastructure, agriculture, environmeNT, tourism, ICT, health, human resources, and science and technology) and their integration with AU and SADC processes

DFA, DEAT, DHA, DME, DoE, DPSA, DTI, DWAF, Housing, NT, Health

Ongoing

The 36th meeting of the NEPAD steering committee was held in Addis Ababa in Nov-08. Discussions focused on the appointment of a new CEO for the NEPAD Secretariat, and the integration of NEPAD into the structures and processes of the AU

1.2.2

Operationalisation of the African Peer Review Mechanism

DPSA, DFA

Dec-08

The Extra-Ordinary summit of the APR Forum took place at Benin in Oct-08. The agenda included a review of Nigeria and Burkina Faso Country Reports

1.2.3

Management of International Development Assistance

DFA, NT, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The 11th Africa Partnership Forum was held at Ethiopia in Nov-08 under the theme "Monitoring Progress in Partnerships" with the focus on emerging governance issues in the APRM process and Development Finance

1.2.4

Chairing of the African Ministerial Conference of the Environment (AMCEN)

DEAT, Sector Depts

Dec-08

The AMCEN bureau meeting will be held back to back with the upcoming UNEP Governing Council meeting in Nairobi in Feb-09

1.3

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

1.3.1

Contribute towards SADC Regional Economic Integration

DFA, DTI, NT

2008-2016

With the FTA launched during the Sandton Summit, South Africa as Chair of SADC is focusing on issues of implementation of the FTA such as the phasing out of tariffs in order to meet the 2012 deadline

1.3.2

Strengthen governance and capacity in SADC, especially in the Secretariat

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Contracts of the SADC Executive and Deputy Secretary posts will expire in 2009. Member States were informed and urged to identify suitable candidates to apply for the positions

1.3.3

Continue to facilitate resolution of political challenges facing Zimbabwe (A 21)

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

President Motlanthe hosted the Extraordinary Summit of SADC HOSG's on 9 Nov-08 to discuss the current political impasse in Zimbabwe. No agreement was reached on the Amendment of Clause 19 of the Constitution and appointment of Cabinet Ministers

1.4

Contribute towards Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) in Africa

1.4.1

Sudan

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The Sudan National parliament approved the appointment of the Independent Electoral Commission on 17 Nov-08. The Department of Correctional Services Mentorship Programme commenced in Southern Sudan 21 Nov-08 to 7 Dec-08

1.4.2

Democratic Republic of Congo (A 22)

DFA, Sector Depts

2008-2009

President Motlanthe paid a Working visit to the DRC on 31 Oct-08

1.5

Contribute towards Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa

1.5.1

Contribute to the establishment of the African Standby Force

DOD, DFA, SAPS

Ongoing

A successful combined planning conference for SADC Brigade Exercise GOLFHINO took place in Botswana 3-7 Nov-08.The South African internal planning session took place 26-27 Nov-08

1.5.2

Review of the White Paper on Peace Missions

DFA, DCS, DOD, DoJCD, NICOC, SAPS

Dec-08

The DFA hosted two successful workshops on 17 Nov-08 and 3 Dec-08 on the Paper commissioned on SA Best Practices and Lessons Learnt in peacekeeping missions

1.5.3

Support stabilisation efforts in Western Sahara

DFA

Ongoing

The UN SG is in the process of considering candidates for the vacant post of SG's Special Envoy. To date no agreement has been reached on the candidature of US Ambassador Christopher Ross

1.5.4

Support Peace efforts in Cote d'Ivoire

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The 4th Meeting of the Permanent Framework of the Ouagadougou Accord (CPC) held on 10 Nov-08 announced that the presidential election scheduled for 30 Nov-08 will be postponed due to technical and logistical problems

1.5.5

Contribute to the stabilisation of Somalia

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Modalities for the Implementation of the Cessation of Armed Confrontation and a Joint Declaration on Common Political aims were signed by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-liberalisation of Somalia (ARS) on 26 Oct-08

1.5.6

Support peace efforts in Ethiopia Eritea

DFA, DOD, Sector Depts

Dec-08

The repatriation of UNMEE personnel has been completed, the last group of peacekeepers left on 15 Oct-08 after their eight years long presence in the region

1.5.7

Support the strengthening of peace and stability in Burundi

DFA, DOD, SAPS, Sector Depts

Dec-08

The Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL signed the Magaliesburg and Ngozi Declarations committing themselves to the resolution of their conflict through dialogue and commence with the processes of the Joint Verification Monitoring Mechanism

1.5.8

Support stabilisation efforts in the Comoros

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

A delegation of senior officials from DFA visited Comoros during Nov-08 for wide ranging discussions with the Comorian Government and other role players

1.5.9

Promotion of Regional and Continental Maritime Security

DOD

Ongoing

The 14th Annual Meeting of the SADC Standing Maritime Committee was held in Luanda at the end of Aug-08. Twenty members from eight SADC countries completed the Junior Staff and Warfare Course at the SA Naval Staff College

1.6

Strengthen Bilateral Relations

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

SA undertook a number of visits to countries such as the DRC, Nigeria, Sudan, Guinea Conakry, Madagascar, Congo Brazzaville and Burkina Faso to follow-up on projects and possible fields of co-operation identified in previous meetings

2

STRENGTHEN SOUTH-SOUTH CO-OPERATION

2.1

Strengthen India, Brazil, South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA)

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Sectoral Working Group meetings were held in India and South Africa during Aug-08 and Sep-08, in preparation for the 3rd IBSA Summit which was held Oct-08 in India. The Working Groups also prepared the agreements that were signed at the Summit

2.2

Active engagement in the New Africa Asia Strategic Partnership (NAASP)

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Co-Chairs Meeting of Senior Officials took place in Aug-08 in Bali, Indonesia to discuss the NAASP Ministerial Summit and the outcomes of the Palestinian Capacity Building Conference

2.3

Implementation of the Beijing Action Plan in the Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

DFA, Sector Depts

2008-2009

The 6th Senior Officials Meeting of FOCAC was hosted by the co-chair Egypt in Oct-08. The meeting was in preparation for the 4th FOCAC Ministerial Meeting to be held in 2009

2.4

Active engagement with Organisations of the South (NAM, G77+China, etc)

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

South Africa participated in the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting held in St. Lucia during 6-8 Oct-08 and the Commonwealth Ministers of Tourism Meeting held in London during 11-12 Nov-08

3

STRENGTHEN NORTH-SOUTH CO-OPERATION

3.1

Strengthen relations with Group of 8 (G8)

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The G8 Summit in Hakkaido, Japan during Jul-08 reaffirmed its commitments to Africa and announced a range of support measures but failed to address the long standing question of implementation of commitments made to Africa

3.2

Active engagement in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

DFA, Sector Depts

Dec-08

Work continues towards the implementation of commitments made at the TICAD IV Summit held in May-08

4

PARTICIPATE IN THE GLOBAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE

4.1

Active participation as non permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2007-2008)

DFA

Dec-08

Dep Minister Van Der Merwe hosted and participated in the roundtable discussions of the AU-UN Panel of Distinguished Persons on Peacekeeping, held on 27 Oct-08 in line with UNSC Resolution 1809

4.2

Active engagement in the G20 as part of the Troika

NT, DFA

Dec-08

SA participated in the meetings of the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Sao Paulo on 8-9 Nov-08 to discuss the implications of the current financial and economic crisis, and to deliberate on how to mitigate the impact of the crisis

4.3

Contribute to debates on Climate Change

DEAT, DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Negotiating positions for the Fourteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the 4th Meeting of the Parties of the Kyoto Protocol, have been drafted in consultation with relevant stakeholders

4.4

Contribute to debates on Terrorism

DFA, DME, SAPS

Ongoing

The report of the United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) visit to SA on 2-9 Jun-08 will be tabled for adoption at the Security Council Session in Dec-08

4.5

Promote South Africa's position on Disarmament

DFA, DME

Ongoing

Latest report by the IAEA Director General on Iran of 19 Nov-08 confirms that Iran has not suspended its enrichment and reprocessing activities contrary to its obligations under the UNSC resolutions

4.6

Contribution towards the Middle East Peace process

DFA

Ongoing

SA has expressed its support for the renewed Arab Peace Initiative and will continue to support this Initiative through its bilateral and multilateral engagements

4.7

Follow up to the Implementation of outcomes of major international conferences

4.7.1

Participate in preparations for the Review Conference on WCAR (2009)

DFA, DoJCD, DSD

2008-2009

Preparations for South Africa's participation at the Review Conference on WCAR (2009) continues

4.7.2

Consolidate African positions for CSD 16 and CSD 17

DEAT, DFA, Sector Depts

2008-2009

Preparations are underway for South Africa's participation in CSD17

4.8

Work towards a developmental outcome of WTO negotiations

DTI, DFA, NT

Ongoing

SA participated in the Jul-08 Doha Round negotiations and through the DTI, is in the process of comprehensively evaluating the status of the Round and SA's participation

4.9

2010 FIFA World Cup

SRSA, DFA

Ongoing

Construction programmes for both 2009 Confederations Cup stadia and the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia are on track and it is expected the FIFA deadlines will be met

4.10

Support the utilisation of sport as an instrument for Peace and Development

SRSA, DFA, DOD, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Work on the African Legacy Programmes and the Outreach Programme continues

5

STRENGTHEN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS

5.1

Strengthening co-operation with the EU

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

SA delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated at the 9th SA-EU Joint Cooperation Council meeting held on 4 Nov-08. Focus of the meeting was the full implementation of the TDCA

5.2

Engage with the SADC- EU EPA negotiations

DTI, DFA, Sector Depts

Dec-08

The last round of the SADC-EC EPA negotiations held in Brussels on 4-6 Nov-08 failed to address concerns raised by Angola, Namibia and South Africa (ANSA) regarding the Interim EPA (IEPA)

5.3

Continue participation in the SACU- India PTA negotiations

DTI, DFA

Ongoing

Discussions continue towards an agreement for the Memorandum of Understanding between SACU and India

5.4

Work to improve SACU- China trade relations

DTI, DFA

Ongoing

SACU is in the process of consolidating findings of various studies undertaken to begin constructing an approach to advancing engagement with China

5.5

Work towards the finalisation of SACU- Mercosur PTA

DTI, DFA, Sector Depts

Dec-08

A Mercosur Technical Team visited South Africa 17-18 Sep-08. It is expected that the SACU-Mercosur PTA will be signed in Dec-08

5.6

Stepping up engagements with major powers, particularly those having a major influence in the Continent

DFA, Sector Depts

Ongoing

The 8th SA-Russia ITEC Session was held in Durban on 26 Nov-08. Meeting focused on progress made in critical areas of cooperation and on easing blockages in the implementation of bilateral programmes

5.7

Strengthen Economic Diplomacy and Market SA Abroad (A 23)

DFA, DEAT, DTI, GCIS, Presidency, Sector Depts

Ongoing

Cabinet approved on 19 Nov-08 the Measures and Guidelines for the enhancement and coordination of SA's international engagements