U.S - South Africa Strategic Dialogue convenes Annual Bilateral Forum to advance Critical Issues of Mutual Interest

PRETORIA – The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the first official bilateral meeting under the new U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue signed by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on 14 April 2010. 

This meeting, known as the South Africa–United States Annual Bilateral Forum, met in Pretoria 12-13 May 2010.  The Forum was co-chaired by Ambassador Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Deputy Director-General: Americas and Caribbean, and the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Donald H. Gips.  The Annual Bilateral Forum is now focused on priority areas as outlined in the Strategic Dialogue Memorandum of Understanding and provides a mechanism to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues of shared interest and common concern, including development, security and economic cooperation; and reaffirms the strong, growing relations between South Africa and the United States.

Discussions at the Annual Bilateral Forum focused on key priority areas, including health, education, agriculture, law enforcement, trade, investment, energy, climate change, and regional security.  The two sides agreed to establish functional working groups in several broad topic areas in order to implement mutually agreed upon programmes and strategies.

At the conclusion of the Forum, the co-chairs stated, “This official meeting was a big step in our roadmap to closer cooperation and an enduring national friendship.  Our countries share many interests and aspirations for our people and the global community – it is both natural and productive for us to work together in realizing these goals.  To echo our Presidents, ‘Together we can do more,’ and ‘Yes, we can.’”

For more information contact Saul Kgomotso Molobi on 082 940 4716, 012 351 0083 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za
 
Issued by the

Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
RIETONDALE
Pretoria

13 May 2010

U.S. Mission to South Africa: Sharon Hudson-Dean | 012-431-4659 |  hudsondeans@state.gov <mailto:hudsondeans@state.gov>