Media Advisory

07 January 2013

Invitation: Media Workshop on the Fifth BRICS Summit

In preparation for the upcoming Fifth BRICS Summit in Durban (26-27 March 2013), the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) invites media representatives to a one-day, interactive BRICS Summit workshop scheduled for Tuesday, 15 January 2013 in Pretoria.

The workshop will update media representatives on the status of preparations for South Africa’s hosting of the Fifth BRICS Summit. The Government’s BRICS Envoys  will shed light  on South Africa’s membership of BRICS and role as chair of the Fifth BRICS Summit. The envisaged outcomes of the Summit will also be discussed.

The speakers will share information and insights regarding BRICS, especially in terms of the Summit’s proposed theme entitled ““BRICS and Africa –Partnership for Development, Integration and Industrialisation.”

BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging market economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS mechanism aims to promote development cooperation, security, peace and establishing a more equitable world.

All media are invited as follows:

Date   :  Tuesday, 15 January 2013

Time   : 08h30 – 13h30
           
Venue:  Multipurpose Room 4, O.R Tambo Building, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria

RSVP: Ms Laoura Lazouras, lazourasl@dirco.gov.za / 083 564 2024 (Media wishing to attend the workshop are kindly requested to confirm by Friday, 11 January 2013)

Enquiries: Nelson Kgwete, +27 76 431 3078

Programme:

08h30-09h30           Arrival
Registration
                              Tea & Coffee

09h30-09h35           Opening and Welcome

09h35-10h30            From Sanya to Durban: South Africa’s role in BRICS
Briefing by Ambassador Matjila

1. How SA joined BRICS
2. Why BRICS membership is important
3. BRICS priorities vs SA government priorities
4. Issues for the Durban Summit

Question and answer session
               
10h30-11h30            Preparation for South Africa’s Chair of the Fifth BRICS Summit:
Briefing by Ambassador Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General: Asia and Middle East and BRICS Sous-Sherpa

1. Fifth BRICS Summit theme, agenda and programme
2. Envisaged deliverables of the Summit:

Question and answer session

11h30-12h30            Presentations on the raison d’être of BRICS:

1. Mr Clayson Monyela, DDG: Public Diplomacy
2. Ms Nelia Barnard, Director: BRICS

Question and answer session

Closure

12h30-13h30            Lunch

 ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria 

Follow @theDIRCOza