South Africa - Brazil Joint Press Statement

On the occasion of the conclusion of the bilateral meeting between Minister Maite Nkoane-Mashabane with Minister Antonio Patriota, Minister of External Relations of Brazil, Pretoria, 23 July 2011

Multilateral cooperation

Both Brazil and South Africa collaborate to promote qualitative and quantitative changes in global governance, in the context of various international organizations and formations such as the UN, the G20 and the India, Brazil, South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA) and BRICS. A critical avenue for cooperation also arises from the fact that both Brazil and South Africa serve on the UN Security Council this year. This augurs positively for enhanced cooperation efforts that will contribute to a multilateral system that reflect participation by all to the benefit of all.

Africa cooperation

South Africa and Brazil will continue to join forces and coordinate positions to the benefit of the African continent.  South Africa will host the Global African Diaspora Summit in May 2012, and Brazil together with other Latin American and Caribbean countries will meet in New York in September 2011 during the United Nations General Assembly session to discuss the way forward. One of the key objectives of the Summit will be to ensure sustained economic cooperation and government and business entities in Africa and the Diaspora.

Syria: Security Council

South Africa and Brazil are deeply concerned about the situation in Syria and condemn all forms of violence. South Africa and Brazil are also concerned about the humanitarian situation in Syria and its impact on the region. In light of this, the Ministers discussed ways of engaging the Syrian Government with the aim of finding an end to the violence in Syria and to promote a sustainable political settlement that is inclusive and reflects the will of the Syrian people and addresses their legitimate concerns.

Climate Change

We shared our expectations for the 17th Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which South Africa is hosting towards the end of the year. We firmly support an innovative approach that will ensure a raised level of commitment by all Parties participating in the Climate Change negotiations. We look forward to further cooperate with all groups in the UNFCCC process as well as with Brazil as they prepare for their hosting of Rio + 20 event next year. We believe that success in Durban will further promote successful outcomes for the relevant fora of the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil in 2012.

South Africa’s priorities

Brazil and South Africa share the commitment of ensuring that our people benefit at the broadest level from global growth and that the benefits of economic expansion are shared equitably. We have signed and are in the process of implementing bilateral agreements with the aim of expanding our cooperation into advanced technology, increasing our collective scientific and engineering capacity. We see these initiatives as opportunities to reinforce our shared developmental objectives. Ministers agreed to conclude several bilateral agreements by October 2011, most specifically the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Nuclear Energy.

Our countries share a passion for change and equitable development in the world and the improvement of the lives of the poorest.

We look forward to an even more strengthened partnership with Brazil.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria

25 JULY 2011