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Annual Report 2009/2010 Presentation to the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations

Annual Report 2009/2010 Presentation to the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations Dr A Ntsaluba Director-General Cape Town 10 November 2010. Introduction. Key strategic priorities for the reporting year were: Continued prioritisation of the African Agenda

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Annual Report 2009/2010 Presentation to the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations

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  1. Annual Report 2009/2010 Presentation to the Select Committee on Trade and International Relations Dr A Ntsaluba Director-General Cape Town 10 November 2010

  2. Introduction Key strategic priorities for the reporting year were: • Continued prioritisation of the African Agenda • Strengthen South-South Relations • Strengthen Relations with Formations of the North • Strengthen Political and Economic Relations • Participate in the Global System of Governance • Organisational Strengthening • The provision of Operational Support Services

  3. Human ResourcesOrganisational Establishment • Establishment as at 31 March 2010 • Head Office and Missions • The total number 2230 excluded the 111 additional staff that does not form part of the Approved Establishment • The Overall total number 2341 includes the 3 Political Office Bearers and Additional staff • Additional staff consist of 69 Cadets & 42 officials in the HR Pool that is on either Training or Unpaid leave

  4. Organisational Establishment Employment Equity Table as at 31 March 2010 * The total number 2338 excludes 3 Political Office Bearers * The number of disabled people are included in the total number 2338

  5. Human Resources Administration ANNUAL TUROVER RATES (cont) * The total number of posts 2350 excludes 3 Political Office Bearers * The Appointments and Terminations column exclude the Political Office Bearers

  6. Employment Equity and Organisational Culture • Focused on Employment Equity: • Status of Women at SMS level • In 2008/2009 - 82 (32.8%) • In 2009/2010 – 81 (33.3%) • Status of People with Disabilities • The number of people with disabilities has remained constant at 36 representing 1.54% of total employees

  7. Talent Management • Enhanced Employer Brand activities - SABC Career Fairs for Grade 10-12. - Participated in career exhibitions at various Further Education Training Colleges and Universities. - A first ever internal Career exhibition Day was organised for DIRCO employees to further promote the work of the Department and highlight career opportunities available within the Department. • DIRCO was rated second best employer of choice by tertiary students studying towards qualifications in Humanities • Cadet program continued to serve as a talent pipeline to meet organisational human resource needs • Career Management interventions were delivered at both individual and group level to enhance employees’ career focus and direction

  8. Employee Wellness • Continues to implement health promotion programmes and render psycho-social support to employees and immediate family members. • Enhanced the support for employees in Hardship Missions. • In the process of establishing a spousal support office. • Introduced pre-posting health and adaptability assessments.

  9. HR Strategic Priorities for 2010/2011 • Effective Organisational Processes • Effective Talent Management • Effective Employee Resourcing and Utilisation • Management Capacity Building

  10. DTRD Objectives • The Diplomatic Academy is an accredited training institution with the Public Services Sector Education and Training Authority • Offers training in preparation for Foreign Service to departmental officials • Addresses the skills development needs of the DIRCO • Conducts policy research on priority issues for South Africa’s foreign policy

  11. Diplomatic Training • Diplomatic Training was offered to 19 Heads of Mission, 26 senior level Counsellors, and 55 mid-level Diplomatic Trainees • Protocol training extended to 1738 officials from: all levels of the public sector; semi-state and private enterprises (eg. Telkom); the Justice College; and the organisers of the 2010 FIFA World Cup • In addition, the following training was delivered: Mission Administration; Foreign Languages; Computer Training; English Language Training; and various courses for Management Development and generic skills training • Foreign Language training offered to the public sector increased and an Intergovernmental Forum was established

  12. DIRCO’s Contribution to Enhancing Skills Development • The Department’s CADET PROGRAMME offered 52 unemployed graduates an opportunity to further their studies and pursue a career in the Department • A second group of senior officials were enrolled in the Masters in Diplomacy Programme • 15 unemployed youth completed a Human Resource Learnership Programme • Internships providing work experience offered to 20 university graduates in IT and to 4 in Internal Audit • Addressed illiteracy to 60 officials through an ABET programme

  13. Capacity Building • In collaboration with the DTI and GCIS, the Diplomatic Academy developed a curriculum and programme on ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY • Offered diplomatic training to 10 diplomats from SADC countries and Palestinian Diplomats • Partnered with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to offer an e-learning course in Multilateral Conferencing and International Negotiations to 170 learners from 50 countries • Facilitated access to various international training programmes • Diplomatic and administrative training for DRC Capacity Building Project • Policy Research & Analysis Unit (PRAU) Discussion and Current Affairs Fora to debate priority foreign policy issues; and various research papers produced • PRAU-hosted Intergovernmental Forum on international relations and Academic Research Forum

  14. Consolidation of the African Agenda African Union and Integration • SA participated in discussions on transforming the AU Commission into the AU Authority • SA signed the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance in February 2010 • SA was elected to the AU Peace and Security Council for a two-year term • SA’s candidature for a non-permanent UNSC Seat for 2011-2012 was endorsed by the AU • DIRCO is engaged in the setting up of the Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) headquarters in SA

  15. Consolidation of the African Agenda NEPAD • The 14th AU Summit formally adopted the establishment of the NEPAD Planning and Co-ordinating Agency (NPCA) as a technical body to replace the NEPAD Secretariat • SA is fully engaged in the fast-tracking of the implementation of programmes related to NEPAD priority sectors, especially infrastructure Regional Integration and Development • SA contributes to regional negotiation efforts in Madagascar and has been mandated by SADC to mediate between the political parties in Zimbabwe

  16. Consolidation of the African AgendaStrengthen Political and Economic Relations Southern Africa • President Zuma undertook his inaugural State Visit to Angola in August 2009 • President Zuma accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers paid a State Visit to Zambia in December 2009 • The SA-Namibia Heads of State Economic Bilateral meeting was held in SA in November 2009 • SA continued its facilitation in Zimbabwe

  17. Consolidation of the African Agenda Strengthen Political and Economic Relations North Africa • SA restored bilateral relations with Mauritania subsequent to the AU lifting the suspension of the membership of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania following democratic elections in July 2009 • SA continues to support the right of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic in respect of self-determination and also continued to provide humanitarian assistance to SADR during the period under review

  18. Consolidation of the African Agenda Strengthen Political and Economic Relations West and Central Africa • President Zuma undertook a Working Visit to Equatorial Guinea from 3 to 4 November 2009 • In October 2009, SA and Nigeria celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the structured bilateral relations • In March 2010, the second session of the Permanent Joint Cooperation Commission (PJCC) between SA and Ghana was held in Accra • SA inaugurated the newly built Ahmed Baba Institute designed with technology aimed at preserving the famous Timbuktu Ancient Manuscripts •  SA has agreed to fund the deployment of 30 Cuban Medical Brigades in Sierra Leone for a period of three years starting in 2010

  19. Consolidation of the African Agenda Strengthen Political and Economic Relations East Africa • SA supported the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), as well as the AU High Level Implementation Panel on the Sudan, the AU/UN and Qatar initiatives of bringing peace to Darfur • SA supported Somalia’s reconciliation process through participating in the International Contact Group on Somalia which met in Brussels and Jeddah on 26 to 27 February 2009 and 17 to 18 December 2009 respectively • President Zuma paid a State Visit to Uganda from 25 to 26 March 2010 accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers • SA concluded the Peace Process in Burundi and was subsequently appointed coordinator and Chair of the Partnership for Peace in Burundi, the successor to the Peace Process in Burundi

  20. Strengthen South-South Co-operation • SA continues to participate in fora suc as IBSA,G77&China, NAM, NAASP etc NAM • The XVth NAM Summit was held in Sharm El Sheikh from 15 to 16 July 2009. A highlight was the Declaration on Nelson Mandela International Day introduced by SA. A similar Resolution was adopted by the UNGA during its 64th Regular Session

  21. Strengthening North-South Co-operation SA-EU Bilateral Relationship • The primary focus was on fully implementing the SA-EU Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement (TDCA) and implementing the SA-EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan • A key outcome of the 2nd Summit, held on 11 September 2009 in Kleinmond, was the signing of the Amending Agreement to the SA-EU TDCA. The Summit also welcomed the launch of the employment creation fund of Euro 120 million, as well as the planned support for the education sector in 2009

  22. Strengthening North-South Co-operation ACP-EU, Africa-EU and SADC-EU • DIRCO worked towards the accession of SA to the Revised Cotonou Partnership Agreement which was completed in February 2010 • DIRCO has been keeping abreast of developments regarding the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and provided assistance to the dti where necessary OECD • DIRCO supported National Treasury in consolidating SA’s heightened relations with the OECD, following a decision by the OECD Ministerial Council to place SA on an enhanced engagement status

  23. Participate in the Global System of Governance Promote multilateralism, respect for international law and strengthen the role of the UN • The 64th UNGA was preceded by a High-level Summit on Climate Change convened by the UNSG, wherein SA’s statement focused on the need for an inclusive and effective global agreement to tackle climate change • DIRCO will, in future, play a more prominent role in terms of the co-ordination and identification of vacancies for possible submission of SA candidatures to serve on multilateral and international fora

  24. Participate in the Global System of Governance Promote the reform of the UN • SA participated in intergovernmental negotiations on UNSC Reform, Management and Secretariat Reform, streamlining ECOSOC, General Assembly (GA) revitalisation mainly through the NAM, and revitalisation and reform of specialised agencies such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs) • SA has been active in promoting co-ordination between the AU and UN with regard to peace and security

  25. Participate in the Global System of Governance Joint evaluation into the contribution by the UN System for SA • SA and the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) completed a joint evaluation of the contribution by the UN to SA, the first evaluation of the entire UN presence in a programme country and the first undertaken in a full and equal partnership between a host government and the UN International and domestic legal advice • DIRCO submitted SA’s claim for an extended continental shelf to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in May 2009 Participate in UNSC activities • SA’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for 2011-2012 was endorsed by the 14th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit in January 2010

  26. Participate in the Global System of Governance Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control • The IAEA Board of Governors considered the implementation of NPT safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran and in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea • SA and the USA held high-level talks on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in November 2009 to promote closer co-operation in preparation for the NPT Review Conference in 2010 • SA hosted the 3rd AU Conference of Experts on Landmines in September 2009

  27. Participate in the Global System of Governance G20 • The G20 convened two Summits to consider global responses to the financial and economic crises. The London Summit in April 2009 agreed to measures constituting an additional US$ 1 trillion of financial support to restore credit, growth and jobs. The Pittsburgh Summit, in September 2009, agreed to a Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth • SA, as the only African country in the G20, raised issues of concern to Africa with other G20 leaders

  28. Participate in the Global System of Governance Climate Change • SA participated in UNFCC processes leading up to Copenhagen in December 2009 and in high-level meetings of the Major Economies Forum, Commonwealth and G20 where climate change was discussed • SA contributed to the development of the African common position on climate change at the relevant AU fora • During the CoP15 to the UNFCC, SA played a leading role in the development of the Copenhagen Accord, which, although not the formal outcome of the CoP, is an important agreement • DIRCO assisted with the launch of SA’s second satellite, SumbandilaSat during 2009

  29. Participate in the Global System of Governance Follow –up on the implementation of the outcomes of major international Conferences and Summits • SA is committed to the full and effective implementation of the outcomes of the UN Durban Review Conference and the World Conference Against Racism • The 54th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) undertook a fifteen-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd Special Session of the GA from 1 to 12 March 2010 in New York

  30. Participate in the Global System of Governance Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) • During the plenary in Swakopmund, Namibia, in November 2009, SA was instrumental in facilitating the development of an Administrative Decision on Zimbabwe, with an accompanying Joint Work Plan, designed for the purpose of allowing the KPCS to work with Zimbabwe to bring the country back to full compliance with the minimum requirements of the KPCS

  31. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Asia and Middle East Japan • The centennial of official relations between SA and Japan will be celebrated in 2010 Republic of Korea • A SA delegation led by Deputy Minister Ebrahim, participated in the second Korea-Africa Forum held in Seoul in November 2009 • Korea is eager to co-operate with SA, the only African country with membership in the G20, on setting the agenda for the 2010 G20 Summit in Seoul, to also include matters of importance for developing countries

  32. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations The People’s Republic of China (PRC) • The Minister visited the PRC for bilateral consultations in February 2010, to prepare for a State Visit by President Zuma to China in 2010 and to review the strategic partnership. It was agreed in principle that relations would be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. • The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s purchase of a 20 per cent stake in Standard Bank for US$ 5,64-billion, has been the largest single investment into SA and China’s largest financial investment • SA and China share a common vision on Climate Change, as expressed in their collaboration on The Copenhagen Accord in the Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) grouping

  33. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations The People’s Republic of China (PRC) (cont) • Minister Nkoana-Mashabane attended the 4th Forum on China Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) Ministerial meeting in November 2009 where she also met with her Chinese counterpart, Mr Yang Jiechi. • SA remains committed to finding synergies between NEPAD and FOCAC to ensure the Consolidation of the African Agenda and looks forward to co-hosting the 5th FOCAC Ministerial scheduled for 2012 and hosting the FOCAC Ministerial in SA in 2015 • China became SA’s largest export destination by country at the start of 2009, and on the import side, China remains SA’s largest partner

  34. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations South Asia • The Minister also paid an official visit to Sri Lanka from 10 to 12 November 2009. She re-iterated SA’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka • A Nepalese Parliamentary delegation visited SA from 4 to 10 October 2009

  35. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations South-East Asia • A high point was the Official Visit to SA by the Foreign Minister of Timor Leste in August 2009 • SA issued statements of concern after the arrest, trial and conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader in Myanmar who has been under effective house arrest since 1989. SA has called on the Military Government of Myanmar to release all political prisoners to allow everyone to participate in the elections scheduled to take place in 2010 •  Following a number of devastating natural disasters that struck the region, SA made donations for humanitarian assistance to the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia

  36. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Australia and the Pacific Islands • 2009 saw a 60 per cent reduction in total bilateral trade to R18 billion in 2009 • The political relationship was strengthened through visits to SA by Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Trade Minister Simon Crean in early 2010 • SA and Australia are competing for the SKA project.  The international radio astronomy community must decide on the optimal site by 2011.  Despite competing for the project, SA and Australia issued a joint communiqué in 2009 committing the two countries to enhancing collaboration in the development of a co-ordinated scientific and technical programme for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinder telescopes, the SA pathfinder MeerKAT and the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP • The SA High Commission in Wellington was opened on 1 April 2009

  37. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Middle East Gulf States • The region remains the source of some 51 per cent of SA’s crude oil, mainly from Saudi Arabia and Iran, with smaller quantities from Oman and Yemen. The Gulf region is also an important market for South Africa’s goods and services and a source of investment, even though growth in these areas was affected by the 2008 global financial crisis • The 10th Meeting of the SA-Iran Joint Commission was held in Tehran in August 2008 and the Third SA-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission took place in SA in February 2009 • SA recognises the importance of the Gulf region as a source for tourism. The increase in the number of flights to 24 per week by Gulf Airlines during 2009 to SA is expected to stimulate further growth

  38. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Levant • The SA Government continued to support capacity and institution building in Palestine, in line with the commitments made at the International Donors’ Conference for the Palestinian State, held in Paris in December 2007 • DIRCO hosted a diplomatic training programme for Palestinian diplomatic trainees during February and March 2010 • SA continued to strengthen its relations on all levels with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq • In June 2009, SA hosted the Syrian Special Envoy Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad to talks which included SA Deputy President Motlanthe

  39. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations The Americas United States of America (USA) • The aim of the official visit to SA by US Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Clinton, from 6 -9 August 2009 was to upgrade the official bilateral mechanism between SA and the US to Ministerial level and to commence with a stronger partnership between the US and SA. The SA-US Strategic Review Process commenced on 19 May 2009 • The US and SA signed an agreement to collaborate in the research and development of next-generation nuclear technologies on the sidelines of the IAEA Annual General Conference in Vienna on 14 September 2009 • Secretary Clinton, accompanied by Ambassador Goosby, US Global Aids Coordinator, met with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi during her visit to discuss better coordination in terms of the President’s Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (PEPFAR)

  40. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations USA (cont) • SA is one of the major beneficiaries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act ( AGOA), ranking third after Nigeria and Angola Canada • Negotiations on a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BAS) were successfully concluded in July 2009. Agreement was reached on the Friendly Use of Nuclear Energy and the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) respectively. The latter was signed on 30 October 2009

  41. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Latin America and the Caribbean • Numerous high-level visits were undertaken to Cuba within the framework of the SA/Cuban Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) • The successful hosting of the NAM Ministerial Conference from 25 to 28 April 2009 underlined the pivotal role played by Cuba during its Presidency and leadership of the Movement • President Zuma paid a state visit to Brazil in October 2009, and the two Presidents agreed to resuscitate the SA-Brazil Joint Commission as a forum for bilateral co-operation and the establishment of a Strategic Partnership • There was increased contact between SA and Argentina, with many SA delegations visiting Argentina in 2009-10 to pursue matters related to their specific areas of function • SA actively participated in the 2nd Africa – South America (ASA) Summit that was held from 22-27 September 2009 on the island of Margarita, Venezuela

  42. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Europe Western Europe • South Africa’s foreign policy objectives were promoted during the following structured bilaterals: - SA/Ireland Partnership Forum - Finnish/SA High-level Consultations - EU-Africa Summit chaired by the Prime Minister of Sweden - Belgo/SA Joint Commission - SA/Flanders Joint Commission - Annual Consultations with Spain - Forum for Political Dialogue with France - High-Level consultations with Switzerland - SA/Swedish Bi-National Commission.

  43. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Western Europe (cont) • Significant support for the Governments’ five priorities was garnered during these structured bilaterals • The following high-level bilateral meetings were utilised to engage on a range of international issues: - Prime Minister of The Netherlands at UNGA64 - Prime Minister of Sweden - King and Queen of Norway during their State Visit - Prime Minister of Spain - UK Minister for Africa Lord Malloch Brown and Deputy President Motlanthe as well as former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dlamini Zuma - State Visit to the UK by President Zuma, accompanied by 12 Ministers.

  44. Strengthen Political and Economic Relations Central and Eastern Europe • SA’s bilateral relations with Central and Eastern Europe significantly improved over the past year through bilateral mechanisms such as Ministerial and Officials’ Political Consultations • Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Deputy Minister van der Merwe hosted Ministers from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Czech Republic • The key strategic priorities for Central and East Europe were to identify, promote and review the implementation of partnerships, agreements and projects that will advance the Government’s national priorities in education, fight against crime, rural development, trade, investment and technical partnerships for the creation of decent work and sustainable livelihoods

  45. State Protocol • The Department developed the capacity to manage and organise a large number of incoming and outgoing visits. It became a central point in providing protocol advice and support to Government departments, NGOs, the private sector and the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup LOC • The Department coordinated 87 ceremonial events, managed 168 incoming and outgoing visits, and assisted Provinces and Local Government in managing 204 outgoing visits and incoming visits • Advisory support for ceremonial events and conferences, as well as training and other ad hoc support were increasingly requested by Sister Departments • The Department enhanced and developed the capacity to manage and organise very large Summits and conferences, such as: - SADC Extraordinary Summits - SA-EU Summit - Four Ministerial Conferences

  46. State Protocol • The Department provided protocol support to the Local Organising • Committee during the FIFA Confederations Cup and Final FIFA • World Cup Draw. Furthermore, continuous Protocol Training was • organised in partnership with the Organising Committee and the • Diplomatic Academy. • The State Protocol Lounges facilitated 26 706 VIP’s both in • Johannesburg and Cape Town and 8 367 Diplomats. These • statistics confirm the increase in the number of dignitaries visiting • or passing through the country. • Procurement processes for the new State Protocol Lounge at King • Shaka International Airport in La Mercy, Durban were finalized • for handing over in June 2010.

  47. State Protocol • The diplomatic community in South Africa consists of • 297 accredited foreign offices and the following new • offices were established during the year under review: • Embassy of the Republic of Chad • Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of • Nepal • African Development Bank • Africa Institute for Environmentally Sound • Management of Hazardous and other wastes • League of Arab States

  48. Public DiplomacyDIRCO’s Public Participation Programme (PPP) • 2009/2010 saw DIRCO resuscitate its Outreach Programme (which is now officially called the Public Participation Programme (PPP)) • In rolling out our PPP, the Minister has led DIRCO to at least three provinces and met well over 2000 students during her University Lectures (at the Univ. of Limpopo; Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape and; the Free State University) • The Minister also interacted with communities (in the context of the Imbizo) in the Free State and Limpopo Provinces

  49. OBJECTIVES of the PPP DIRCO sought to: • Ensure that the foreign policy of SA and the mandate of DIRCO are popularized • Ensure that ordinary South Africans can link the country’s domestic priorities and the Department’s international engagements • Establish and strengthen relations with the Provincial leaderships across the country, i.e. EXCO, Legislature, Business, SALGA and Local Government • Ensure that a mutually beneficial engagement is established between DIRCO and a host of non-state actors, i.e. ordinary public, academia, business, cultural and sporting fraternities, religious formations, members of the Diaspora, etc

  50. OBJECTIVES of DIRCO’s PPP (cont) • Ensure that we are able to solicit the views and aspirations of our non-state actors (in order to secure their interest in our work; and last but not least • Ensure that we are able to explain the basic pre-occupations of our foreign policy and how closely intertwined it is with our domestic policies

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