Hon Chairperson, members of the portfolio committee, hon Minister - whom I want to thank for bringing me into this engagement of understanding protocols and diplomacy six or seven months ago - Your Excellencies the ambassadors, high commissioners, representatives of international organisations, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and my wife, Philida, I greet you. We have just returned from the Non- Aligned Movement Ministerial Conference in Bali, where our Minister participated in the 50th year commemorative session of this important organisation.
This historic occasion affords us the opportunity to address the issue of relevance and to put some strategic questions about where South Africa finds itself in the development trajectory of international relations. This is a broader question in the context of the world, because diplomacy 30 years ago and diplomacy today are clearly different.
The strategic questions include the following: Is our diplomacy relevant in the new world order? Has our model of diplomacy kept track with the new and ever-changing global realities? Is our diplomatic corps appropriately equipped to deal with the lightning speed of change that we are witnessing in the world? What are we doing to ensure that international relations don't remain foreign and inaccessible to the ordinary citizen?
These are the type of questions that we in the Ministry with this portfolio are consistently asking ourselves in order for us to be on top of our game.
How the world of international diplomacy has changed since the launch of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961! The key question, then and now, is the challenge to remain relevant and to ensure that we are able to respond in real time to unfolding global events.
In 1990, under apartheid South Africa, there were diplomatic ties with 39 countries. That number increased dramatically to at least 147 in 1995. The key question is whether our administration, systems, policies and programme priorities have kept pace with the increasing demand and relevance of international relations and positioning South Africa as a serious player in the new world order.
As South Africans we remain eager to see progress on our continent of Africa in the areas of peace and security, economic and infrastructural development, training and skilling of Africans, putting an end to poverty and illiteracy, popularising democracy and good governance, and ending wars and battles.
In our various interactions with our stakeholders we have therefore defined our roles in Africa and the world as those of bridging the space between the powerful and the powerless in the international system; regional peacemaking; supporting the objective of international peace and security; shaping the 21st century to be a century of Africa's political, social and economic renewal; and ensuring that a rules-based system is established which limits the possibility of unilateral action by major powers. Just with reference to that, as an immediate response, let me say this. We have heard what the DA, as well as hon Holomisa, were saying and I think it is critical to understand the following about that resolution. We have honoured the technicality of the resolution. What we saw, however, was that the implementation thereafter left much to be desired. South Africa's position in the context of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly is consistently to speak about reforms in governance institutions at that level, so that there is integrity in the execution of resolutions as we move on. We are quite consistent in our position.
Our first foreign policy priority is the consolidation of the African agenda. This agenda entails, amongst others, the need for Africa's economic growth and its development, its economic integration at the regional and subregional levels, trade and investment, as well as democratisation and good governance.
As a practical attestation of our commitment to the political revival of our continent, South Africa in its continued support to the Pan-African Parliament, PAP, proudly hosts the PAP. We are pleased to note that the PAP successfully convened its 4th ordinary session in May 2011. We also wish to report to this House that currently the protocol on the establishment of the PAP is being reviewed within the context of the transformation of the African Union Commission into an authority.
Over the past 16 years, with South Africa's responsibility increasing in our bilateral and multilateral relations, we have steadily built a fully- fledged branch for Diplomatic Training, Research and Development, DTRD. Our main focus is to produce well-rounded diplomats who will be able to advance South Africa's national interests and defend its foreign policy priorities, principles and ambitions, and pronounce on its values.
Our branch also seeks to focus on building our ability to engage with our nonstate actors, especially our think-tank institutions, with whom we share a deep sense of patriotic passion for matters of foreign policy theory and practice.
The DTRD ensures that the Department of International Relations and Co- operation, Dirco, continues to interact with the broad civil society in identifying global trends, sharing views on the implications of our foreign policy, and developing approaches that could be helpful in the resolution of the challenges of today's world. Therefore, the branch has developed a strategy around recruitment, training and making sure that we see growth among junior diplomats.
We continue to work closely with Palama in improving the quality of our senior managers through the executive development programme, so as to contribute to improved delivery by our government. It is important that we ensure that the instruments of our administration are well oiled.
I just want to indicate to the House that in our break-down of the nature of disabilities represented in our department we have at least 36 individuals: physically disabled, 18; blindness or low vision, 11; deaf or hard of hearing, 5; and medical disability, 2. There is a particular forum that the department has created to make sure that we, in a sense, respond to the policy objectives of government. This forum interacts with universities and civil society and attempts to address critical issues relating to the disabled.
Plans are at an advanced stage and a lot of work has been done for the establishment of the South African Council on International Relations. This will be an advisory council and it relates to strengthening our resolve regarding our policy. Through the ministerial process a lot of work has gone into that.
In a spirit of "South Africanness" a dynamic relationship between the state, unions and civil society will be critical when we deal with COP 17. Over the next couple of months we must make sure that the road map that has been identified is implemented in order to have a successful and sustainable end of the year conference. Let me also express my appreciation of our new director-general. As others have said, he brings along many years of experience in this arena and a clear sense of the strategic nature of the task at hand.
In an effort to address the general welfare of our officials, we are also continuing to provide care and support to our employees and their families, both at head office and in the missions. Amongst others, we have established a dedicated spousal support office in order to ensure a special focus on the spouses.
As a member of the international community, we remain committed to building a fair, equitable, global economic and political architecture, which will benefit both the developing and developed countries, including the rich and the poor of this global village.
As we celebrate achievements, we remain mindful of the challenges facing the world, especially in respect of the recent developments in North Africa and the Middle East, the situation in Libya - which we have spoken about - the situation in Sudan's Abyei region, the Middle East peace process, the struggles of the people of the Saharawi Republic, and our relations with the countries of Southeast Asia.
In the Middle East we have noted with appreciation the announcement by the Palestinian parties, Fatah and Hamas, in Cairo on 27 April 2011 that they have reached an understanding with a view to setting up a transitional unity government and holding elections within eight months.
We further believe that the unity of the people of Palestine is vital for the creation of a free and democratic Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In this regard, we urge all Palestinian factions to unite behind a reformed Palestinian movement so as to carry forward the hopes and aspirations of all Palestinians for freedom, self-determination and human dignity.
Strengthening South-South relations remains an important pillar of our foreign policy objectives, especially with Asia, where we have resident missions in the six Southeast Asian countries. Our bilateral trade relations have been growing steadily in this region and the total trade between South Africa and Southeast Asia amounted to R52,3 billion in 2010.
In South Asia, South Africa views Pakistan as an important role-player. In strengthening relations and looking at some of the difficulties that exist, we have to make sure that there is meaningful dialogue to overcome some of the difficulties.
Since the mandate of 2011 as the year for renewed focus on the creation of decent employment, the Gulf States continue to be an important partner. Endowed with capital accumulation, South Africa has reported success in attracting investment from the region's investment arms, the Sovereign Wealth Funds, in the hospitality and real estate industries.
The creation of a joint US$500 million infrastructure investment fund, coestablished by the Industrial Development Corporation, IDC, and the State General Reserve Fund of Oman, will further contribute to alleviating unemployment. Of further interest is the fact that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the largest Sovereign Wealth Fund globally, has established the Africa Private Equity Division to investigate investment opportunities in Africa. That has identified South Africa as a target market.
Finally, I would be failing in my duty if I did not acknowledge the historic and strategic relationship with the island of Cuba, affirmed by the presidential visit in December last year. It is also one that I have personally nurtured for at least a decade. In the year that we celebrate 100 years of Africa's oldest liberation movement and 50 years of the historic battle of Cuito Cuanavale, we must acknowledge the role that Cuba played in our freedom struggle, fighting side by side and sacrificing life and limb for our liberation. A relationship forged on the principles of freedom and justice can never be repaid in rands and cents.
In July 2011 we will be engaging in a further round of bilateral talks with this brave island nation which has demonstrated resilience and tenacity. We call for the immediate lifting of the embargo and add our voices to the global call for the release of the Cuban Five.
In conclusion, as we strive for a world-class practice of international relations and co-operation, and to address the myriad of challenges facing our country, Africa and the world as a whole, we have to make sure that we position ourselves with regard to our national interest in Africa as well as in the world. We must understand the dynamic relationship between the public sector and the private sector, as well as the NGO and CBO sectors, not only for South Africa, but also in the interests of Africa and the broader responsibility of international solidarity.
Let us remind ourselves of the words of one of the founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement, Kwame Nkrumah, when he said, and I quote:
Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge - a challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve - to achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life?
I thank you. [Applause.]