Statement on the US Special Refugee Programme

The South African Government has taken note of the recent Presidential Determination by the United States. This programme remains concerning and still appears to rest on a premise that is factually inaccurate and a disregard for our constitutional process ...

Media Guidelines for the G20 Summit

South Africa, as Chair of the G20, will host the G20 Summit at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 November 2025 under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. Official Media: Only 3 official media per G20 and invited countr ...

Public Lecture by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the Conferment of an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations South-South Diplomacy in the 21st Century: Malaysia and South Africa, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 27 October 2025

Your Royal Highness, Paduka Seri Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Your Excellencies, Pro-Chancellors of Universiti Malaya, The Honourable Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, ...

President Ramaphosa arrives in Malaysia

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this evening arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a Working Visit from 24-27 October 2025, where the President will be a Guest of the Chair at the 47th ASEAN Summit and the East Asian Summit. The President's participation ...

President Ramaphosa arrives in Vietnam

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Thursday, 23 October 2025, arrived in Hanoi for a State Visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The visit by President Ramaphosa is both timely and symbolic, reaffirming the importance South Africa accords to its b ...

Media accreditation for the G20 Social Summit

South Africa will host the G20 Social Summit from 18 to 20 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Center in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province. The G20 Social Summit is designed as an inclusive platform to amplify the voices of civil so ...

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa on the occasion of the General Debate of the NAM Mid-Term Ministerial Conference, themed: “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”, 15 to 16 October 2025

I thank Uganda for convening this Ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement under the theme, Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence. This meeting is taking place at a time when the world is faced with geopolitical tensions, rising into ...

DIRCO to host an online G20 Summit media workshop

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will conduct a media workshop focussing on preparations for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The workshop will take place on Thursday, 16 October 2025, from 08h00 to 10h00. The session will f ...

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement on Palestine, Kampala, Uganda, 15 October 2025

Excellencies, We meet today on a day of deep historical resonance. Thirty-eight years ago, on 15 October 1987, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, was assassinated for daring to imagine a sovereign, self-reliant, and united Africa ...

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes on “Collective State Action in Defence of International Law”, at the Kuala Lumpur Conference on a New Just and Humane International Order, The Hague Group, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14 October 2025

His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Honourable Mohamed Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Honourable Azalina Othman Said, Minister of Law and Institutional Reform Malaysia; Honourable Jeremy Corbyn, Member of Parliamen ...

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes (MP), during the Second Mapungubwe Dialogues / First Edition of Diaspora Week Theme: “Promoting Socio-Economic and Cultural Rights as Forms of Reparatory Justice”, OR Tambo Building, Pretoria, 8 October 2025

It gives me great pleasure and privilege to welcome you all to this, the Second Mapungubwe Dialogues, held appropriately to coincide with the First Edition of the Diaspora Week. We gather today not merely as heirs to a sacred struggle and trustees of a ...

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister A Botes of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, during the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO) Public Dialogue, “Will South Africa’s G20 be a G20 on the African continent or an African G20?”, on 7 October 2025

It is an honour to address you today, and I extend my sincere appreciation to the Southern African Liaison Office (SALO) for inviting me to speak on the pivotal question of whether South Africa’s G20 will be a G20 on the African continent or an African G2 ...

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the G20 DIRCO-Sanlam Africa Outreach Programme, “Africa in Global Economic Governance: South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the Measurable Outcomes”, 6 October 2025

SPEAKER’S NOTES ON SOUTH AFRICA’S G20 PRESIDENCY When South Africa took over the Presidency of the G20 in December last year, we announced the Theme of our G20 Presidency, namely Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, as a response to the global unce ...

Update on the welfare of Flotilla delegates

Today, our specialist team met with the South African delegation at the Negev Israeli Prison facility. The delegation has confirmed the detainees are in good health and in high spirits. The necessary procedures for their safe passage and return home to ...

Welcoming Address by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, at the Opening Ceremony of the Annual Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, Pan-African Parliament Precinct, Midrand, South Africa, 29 September 2025

President of the Pan-African Parliament, His Excellency, The Right Honourable Chief Fortune Charumbira, Members of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament, The Speaker of the Transitional National Assembly of Gabon, HE Jean-François NDONGOU, represent ...

Speech delivered by Minister Ronald Lamola at the International Peace Institute’s (IPI) Annual Event on Africa and the Global Order Reform of the Global Financial Architecture: G20 Imperatives for Sustainable Debt and Inclusive Growth, New York, USA, on 24 September 2025

Your Excellencies, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, My co-host, Mr Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honour and privilege to welcome you all here this evening. South Africa’s Leadership at the G20 South Af ...

Minister Lamola concludes Working Visit in California

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, has concluded a successful Working Visit to Los Angeles, California. The visit forms part of South Africa’s priority of forward-looking economic diplomacy by actively building stra ...

Statement by Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to the Meeting of the Joint Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Wednesday, 10 September 2025, Cape Town

South Africa vs Israel case at the ICJ Chairpersons of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Honourable members of both Committees, Thank you for pr ...

Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation mourns High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON)

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola, announces the untimely passing of a dedicated family man and public servant, Mr Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, who passed away on 24 Au ...

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, to the African Ambassadors Corp, Theme “Global Initiative to Galvanise Political Support and Commitments to International Humanitarian Law”, Tuesday, 19 August 2025, Pretoria

SALUTATIONS HE Ambassador Salih Omar Abdu Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in South Africa and Ambassador of Eritrea to South Africa, HE Ambassadors Fonseco Filho, WU, Martinon, Ayyad and Akhinzhanov, Members of the Core Group, Mr Jules Amoti, Head of th ...

Deputy Minister Moraka visits Jordan and the UAE

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka, is paying an Official Visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates from 15 to 24 August 2025. The key objectives set for the visits to Jordan, an ...

President Ramaphosa speaks to President Zelenskyy

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this afternoon, 8 August 2025, received a briefing from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a peace process between Russia and Ukraine. President Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for South Africa's continued support in fi ...

President Ramaphosa speaks to President Putin

President Cyril Ramaphosa has this afternoon, 7 August 2025, held a telephone discussion with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation. The discussion followed President Putin's request to brief President Ramaphosa on the peace process with U ...

President Ramaphosa speaks to President Trump

President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone discussion during the morning of 6 August 2025, with US President Donald Trump on bilateral trade matters. The two leaders undertook to continue with further engagements recognizing the various trade negotiations ...

South Africa objects to abuse of National Symbol

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has registered its strong objection and concern regarding circumstances around the recent visit of an eminent South African leader, former South African President Mr Jacob Zuma, who is Lead ...

Welcome Remarks by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka, at the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth Statutory Sitting of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament, PAP Precinct, Midrand, South Africa, 21 July 2025

President of the Pan-African Parliament, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, Members of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament, Honourable Members of the Pan-African Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished Delegates, ...

Remarks by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile during the Ribbon Cutting / Opening of the South Africa National Pavilion at the China International Supply Chain Expo held at the Shunyi Centre in Beijing, China, 16 July 2025

Programme Director, Ms Lin Honghong, Head of International Relations, Depart of CCPIT, Mr Parks Tau, Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Ren Hongbin, Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of Int ...

Remarks by Hon. Thandi Moraka, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), in Parliament, Cape Town, South Africa, 3 July 2025

Honourable Speaker / House Chair, Honourable Minister Lamola and Deputy Minister Botes, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations, Hon. Mahumapelo, Honourable Members, Senior Officials of DIRCO led by Director-General Zane Dangor, ...

Opening and Welcome Remarks by South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, the Director-General of the Department on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Zane Dangor, at the Third Meeting of the G20 Sherpas, at the Sun City Resort, in the North West Province, South Africa, 25 June 2025

G20 Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas, Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas of Invited Guest Countries, Sherpas and Representatives of International Organisations, Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General and Senior Officials from South Africa, Ambassadors and Excellen ...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 25 June 2025

A. Issues in the environment National Dialogue 1.1 70 Years of the Freedom Charter 1.1.1 On this day, 70 years ago viz. 26th of June 1955, more than 3000 delegates from various racial and social backgrounds, gathered in Kliptown, Johannesburg ...

Media Programme for the G20 Third Sherpa Meeting

South Africa will host the Third Meeting of the G20 Sherpas from 25 to 27 June 2025 at the Sun City Resort in the North West Province. The meeting will take place under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. Live accreditation details are ...

South Africa condemns Israeli attacks on Iran

South Africa expresses profound concern regarding the attacks conducted by Israel on targets within Iran on 13 June 2025, including reported impacts on military areas, nuclear facilities, and civilian infrastructure. Reports of civilian casualties, alongs ...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 11 June 2025

Issues in the environment Economy 1.1. Economic growth 1.1.1 Cabinet noted the gross domestic product (GDP) figures as released by StatsSA that indicated that the economy grew by 0.1% in the first (quarter (Q1) of 2025, and this follows an inc ...

Remarks by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes (MP), on the occasion of the G20 Symposium under the theme: “Advancing Youth Inclusion in the G20 Presidency Agenda”, Stable Theatre, eThekwini, 9 June 2025

We meet on the 9th of June, a month that anchors us in three powerful moments of South African history. Firstly, on this day, 09 June 2002, our country lost Peter Mokaba at the young age of 43. He was our fiery first president of the South African Yout ...

Accreditation for the Third G20 Sherpas Meeting

South Africa will host the Third Meeting of the G20 Sherpas from 25 to 27 June 2025 at Sun City Resort, North West Province. The meeting will take place under the theme: Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, Mr Zane Dangor ...

Remarks by HE Mr Ronald O. Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, during the 12th High-Level Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region, 28 May 2025

Your Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Chairperson of the PSC Framework, Your Excellencies, Signatory Countries of the PSC Framework, Your Excellencies, Representatives of Guarantors Institutions, Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of Presi ...

Statement on Cabinet Meeting of 28 May 2025

A. Issues In The Environment International 1.1 SA-US Relations 1.1.1 Cabinet welcomed the reset of strategic relationships between South Africa (SA) and the United States (US) during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s working visit to the United Stat ...

President Ramaphosa White House Programme

President Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with President Trump this morning at 11h30 EDT (17h30 SAST) at the White House, in Washington DC. ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS: 11:30 AM (17:30 SAST) President Trump receives President Ramaphosa 11:35 AM (17:35 S ...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 14 May 2025

A. Issues In The Environment Economy 1.1 Operation Vulindlela Phase II 1.1.1 On 7 May 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa launched Phase II of Operation Vulindlela (OV Phase II), the government reforms programme aimed at driving inclusive economic ...

Accreditation for the Third G20 Sherpas Meeting

South Africa will host the Third Meeting of the G20 Sherpas from 25 to 27 June 2025 at Sun City Resort, North West Province. The meeting will take place under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. The meeting will be chaired by South Africa’ ...

Opening Remarks by Honourable Ronald O. Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the Council of Ministers Meeting of the Second Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho, 22 April 2025

Co-Chair and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Honourable Lejone Mpotjoana, High Commissioners, Honourable Ministers, Senior Government Officials, Members of the Media, Good Afternoon, I sincerely ...

President Ramaphosa mourns passing of Pope Francis

On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to Catholics in South Africa and globally on the passing of the Holy Father Pope Francis. Aged 88, the Pope passed away early today, Monday, 2 ...

Minister Lamola embarks on Working Visit to Russia

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, has arrived in Moscow, in the Russian Federation, for a two-day Working Visit. During this visit, Minister Lamola will preside over the 18th Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade a ...

South Africa convenes the Second G20 Sherpa Meeting

South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, Mr Zane Dangor, will chair the Second Meeting of the G20 Sherpas, to be held virtually on 3 and 4 April 2025. The meeting will take place under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. The First G20 Sherpa Meeting ...

Top Officials return from United States of America

A delegation of senior officials, led by South Africa's G20 Sherpa and the Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Zane Dangor, visited the United Nations General Assembly to brief them on South Africa’s G20 Presi ...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 26 March 2025

A. Issues in the Environment Economy 1.1 Investment 1.1.1 Cabinet expressed confidence in the resilience of the economy, as the country continues to forge partnerships to build key sectors and attract new investments. 1.1.2 Cabinet also wel ...

Ministry confirms meeting with Ambassador Rasool

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation confirms that Minister Ronald Lamola has met with Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, following his return from the United States of America. Following the meeting, a formal report will be submitted to Pre ...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 12 March 2025

A. Issues in the environment Economy 1.1. National Budget 2025 1.1.1. Cabinet welcomed the 2025 National Budget which seeks to maintain a balance between South Africa’s fiscal framework, funding the priorities of the Seventh Administration, as ...

South Africa observes Commonwealth Day

On 10 March 2025, member countries of the Commonwealth will commemorate Commonwealth Day. Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Americas, as well as the Pacific and Europe. ...

Statement on further engagements with the USA

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has noted a tweet by Secretary of State of the United States of America, Mr Rubio. Minister Lamola says, “We are a sovereign and democratic country committed to human dignity, equality, and rights, ch ...

Statement by the Republic of South Africa during the United Nations Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, delivered by South Africa Permanent Representative at the United Nations Ambassador Mathu Joyini, 26 January 2025

Mr President, South Africa wishes to thank you and the members of the United Nations Security Council for convening this meeting to consider as a matter of urgency the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic ...

Joint Media Statement by Honourable Ronald Ozzy Lamola Minister of International and Cooperation for the Republic of South Africa and Honourable Pascoal Ronda Minister of Interior for the Republic of Mozambique on the occasion of the South Africa-Mozambique Joint Inter-Ministerial Meeting, held In Malelane, Mpumalanga Province South Africa, 18 December 2024

Today, Ministerial delegations from South Africa and Mozambique held a joint Inter-Ministerial Meeting. This important meeting between friendly and fraternal neighbouring countries is reflective of the very good levels of bilateral cooperation ...

G20 Joint Sherpa and Finance Track Meeting

Media are reminded of the Open Session for the Joint Sherpa and Finance Track Meeting taking place in Sandton, Gauteng. The Open Session details are as follows: Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2024 Time: 09h00 Venue: Investec (Media Centre) This s ...

G20 Sherpa to brief the media

Media are reminded of the briefing to be led by South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, Mr Zane Dangor, at the conclusion of the Sherpas Meeting taking place in Sandton, Gauteng. The briefing will be held as follows: Date: Tuesday, 10 December 2024 Time: 17h00 ...

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 4 December 2024

A. Issues in the environment Group of Twenty (G20) Summit 1.1.  South Africa officially assumed the Presidency of the G20 on 1 December 2024, making it the first country on the African continent to lead the premier forum. The theme of G20 South A ...

Cease-fire deal between Israel and Lebanon

The Government of the Republic of South Africa welcomes the brokered cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon that took effect on 27 November 2024. This vital act of de-escalation underscores the supremacy of diplomacy and significantly mitigates t ...

Deputy Minister in Italy for Bilateral Consultations

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, will hold Bilateral Consultations with his Italian counterpart, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Edmondo Cirielli. The meeting is sched ...

South Africa condemns attack in Syria

The South African Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued acts of aggression carried out by the State of Israel on the Syrian Arab Republic. The recent attack of 14 November 2024 in the Damascus suburb of Mazzeh, in proximity to ...

Minister Lamola to address the media

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will address a media briefing on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, in Pretoria. The briefing is set to address key issues pertaining to the implementation of South Africa’s foreign pol ...

Developments in the Republic of Mozambique

Today, Wednesday, 6 November 2024, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, had a telephone call with his Mozambican counterpart, Minister Verónica Macamo, and reflected on the current security situation in Mozambique, fo ...

Opening Remarks by Minister Ronald Lamola, during the Bilateral Meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development of the United Kingdom (UK), Rt. Hon David Lammy, in Cape Town, South Africa, on 5 November 2024

Foreign Secretary Lammy, Lord Collins of Highbury, High Commissioner Philipson, Director-General Dangor, Senior Officials from the British and South African Delegations, Your Excellency, I am pleased to welcome you to South Africa, and I hope that ...

Taipei Liaison Office relocation mischaracterised

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) notes with concern the mischaracterisation of its engagements with the Taipei Liaison Office (TLO). South Africa’s democratic Government severed political and diplomatic ties with Taiwan ...