Strategies and / or programmes developed and implemented by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to achieve its strategic objective to enhance the African Agenda and sustainable development
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 34 (CO69E) AS APPEARED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 1-2014 OF 11 MARCH 2014
MS BV MNCUBE (ANC-GAUTENG) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
Whether her department has developed and implemented any strategies and/or programmes to achieve its strategic objective to enhance the African Agenda and sustainable development; if not, (a) why not, (b) how does this impact on her department’s ability to achieve this objective and (c) what are her department’s plans in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
The quest for a better life in South Africa is intertwined with our pursuit for a better Africa in a better world. Africa is at the centre of South Africa’s foreign policy and South Africa will continue to support regional and continental processes to respond to and resolve crises, strengthen regional integration, significantly increase intra-African trade and champion sustainable development and opportunities in Africa. South Africa will continue to play a leading role in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction. DIRCO utilises both its bilateral and multilateral branches to engage through structured mechanisms and intergovernmental fora.
The strengthening of the African Union (AU) and its structures is a strategic priority in deepening the continental integration process. In addition, the role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as building blocs in the integration process should continue to be strengthened. South Africa continues its efforts to revitalise the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as a strategy for economic development on the African Continent, together with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which is important to assist the Continent in consolidating democracy and meeting universally accepted standards of participatory democracy.
(2) Yes.
South Africa will continue with its priority of contributing to socio-economic development on the African Continent. One of the key vehicles for the disbursement of development funds is the African Renaissance Fund (ARF). DIRCO is in the process of establishing a dedicated development agency to replace ARF, which will inform and direct South Africa’s development assistance framework. The conceptual framework for the establishment of the South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA) has been finalised and work is underway to develop an operating framework thereof.
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