Media Release
26 March 2014
United States - South Africa Strategic Dialogue: Fifth Annual Bilateral Forum to advance bilateral partnership
The Department of International Cooperation and Relations hosted the U.S. Mission in Pretoria for the fifth Annual Bilateral Forum (ABF) under the United States – South Africa Strategic Dialogue. The Forum was co-chaired by U.S. Ambassador Patrick H. Gaspard and South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation Chief Director: North America Ambassador John Davies.
The ABF is a key component of the U.S. – South Africa Strategic Dialogue, established by Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Nkoana-Mashabane in 2010.The Forum meets annually to review the depth and breadth of cooperation between the two nations across a range of bilateral working groups.
During the day-long Forum, officials from across the South African government hosted their counterparts from the U.S. Mission to review bilateral cooperation in 14 separate areas: basic and higher education, agriculture, health, protocol and administration, economic development, trade and investment, energy, water, environment, transportation, science and technology, defense, and safety and security. Separate sessions during the year also address cooperation through the African and Global Affairs Working Group.
“The ABF is a roadmap for maintaining and growing the close cooperation between the United States and South Africa. Through this mechanism, we have institutionalized broad bilateral dialogue across our many departments and agencies, allowing us to take stock of and make substantive progress on issues that are important to the security and prosperity of both nations. I am particularly pleased to report that one of the areas in which our bilateral cooperation has great potential is in law enforcement, which has positive ramifications for the people of both our nations,” said U.S. Ambassador Patrick H. Gaspard.
“The ABF is a useful engagement for providing an overview of bilateral relations and it definitely helps us to identify areas for potential growth and development, deal with problem areas and plan for the future. There are areas where we can clearly work better together and we should concentrate in future on these areas so that our bilateral ties can strengthen to our mutual benefit.” said Ambassador John Davies.
Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela; 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
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