Strategic PlanD EPARTMENT OF F OREIGN A FFAIRS Strategic Plan 2003 – 2005 2 Design & Layout Department of Foreign Affairs Internal Communications Part 1 Pages 01 - 26 5/7/03 8:21

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Strategic Plan2003 – 2005

Part 1 Pages 01 - 26 5/7/03 8:20 AM Page 1


Strategic Plan 2003 – 20052

Design & LayoutDepartment of Foreign Affairs

Internal Communications

www.dfa.gov.za


ABBREVIATIONS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

DA Department of AgricultureDACST Department of Arts, Culture, Science and TechnologyDEAT Department of Environmental Affairs and TourismDOC Department of CommunicationsDCS Department of Correctional ServicesDOE Department of EducationDFA Department of Foreign AffairsDOH Department of HealthDHA Department of Home AffairsDJCD Department of Justice and Constitutional DevelopmentDOL Department of LabourDLA Department of Land AffairsDME Department of Minerals and EnergyDPE Department of Public EnterprisesDPSA Department of Public Service and AdministrationDPW Department of Public WorksDPLG Department of Provincial and Local GovernmentDST Department of Science and TechnologyDSD Department of Social DevelopmentDSR Department of Sports and RecreationDTI Department of Trade and IndustryDOT Department of TransportDWAF Department of Water Affairs and ForestryGCIS Government Communication and Information SystemNIA National Intelligence AgencyNT National TreasuryORC Office on the Rights of the ChildOSDP Office on the Status of Disabled PersonsOSW Office on the Status of WomenSANDF South African National Defence ForceSAPS South African Police ServiceSARB South African Reserve BankSASS South African Secret ServiceSARS South African Revenue Service

3DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS



AASRSOC Asia-Africa Sub-regional OrganisationsConference

ACP African, Caribbean and Pacific States ASEAN Association of South East Asian NationsAU African Union (formerly OAU)BLSN Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, NamibiaBNC Binational CommissionCARICOM Caribbean CommunityCHOGM Commonwealth Heads of State and

Government MeetingCPA Cotonou Partnership Agreement (EU & ACP)CWC Chemical Weapons ConventionECOSOC Economic and Social Council (UN)EU European UnionFDI Foreign Direct InvestmentFSI Foreign Service InstituteG77 Group of 77 (and China)G8 Group of eight (USA, UK, Germany, Italy,

France, Russia, Japan, Canada)GCC Gulf Co-operation CouncilHRD Human Resource DevelopmentHSIC Heads of State Implementation Committee

(Nepad)IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and

Development (World Bank)ICC International Criminal CourtICT Information and Communications Technology ICTR International Criminal Tribunal for RwandaICTY International Criminal Tribunal for YugoslaviaILC International Law CommissionIMF International Monetary Fund IOR-ARC Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional

Co-operationJBC Joint Bilateral CommissionJSE Johhanesburg Stock ExchangeMERCOSUR Southern Common Market (Argentina, Brazil,

Paraguay, Uruguay)

MISS Minimum Information Security Standards MSP Master Systems Plan (ICT)NAM Non-Aligned MovementNepad New Partnership for Africa’s DevelopmentODA Official Development AssistanceOIC Organisation of Islamic ConferencePAP Pan African ParliamentPMS Performance Management SystemPSC Peace and Security Council (AU)RECs Regional Economic CommunitiesRISDP Regional Indicative Strategic Development

PlanSACU Southern African Customs Union (SA, BLSN)SADC Southern African Development CommunityTDCA Trade and Development Co-operation

Agreement (with EU)TICAD Tokyo International Conference on African

DevelopmentTISA Trade and Investment South AfricaUNCITRAL United Nations Commission on International

Trade LawUNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and

DevelopmentUNGA United Nations General AssemblyUNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for

RefugeesUNSC United Nations Security CouncilWCAR World Conference Against Racism WMDs Weapons of Mass DestructionWSIS World Summit on the Information SocietyWSSD World Summit on Sustainable DevelopmentWTO World Trade Organisation



LIST OF ACRONYMS




Abbreviations of Government Departments 3

List of Acronyms 4

PART ONE 6

Message from the Minister of Foreign Affairs 6

Message from the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs 9

Introduction by the Acting Director-General 11

Mandate of DFA 12

•Vision, Mission, Strategic Objectives and Values 15

Priorities of the Department of Foreign Affairs 16

•Foreign Policy Objectives 16

•Priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16

•SA’s regional and multilateral interests 16

PART TWO 27

Key Performance Areas 27

•Medium Term Priorities and Objectives 28

• Resource Requirements per Departmental Objective

Vote 3: Foreign Affairs 34

Programme 1 Administration 34

Programme 2 Foreign Relation 36

Programme 3 Public Diplomacy and Protocol 38

Programme 4 Foreign Properties 40

Programme 5 Auxiliary and Associated Services 41

• Service Delivery Improvement Programme 42

Priority 1 African Renaissance 42

Priority 2 Peace and Security 45

Priority 3 Sustainable Development 47

Priority 4 Structured Relations (BNCs/JBCs) 48

Priority 5 International Conferences 52

Priority 6 Public Diplomacy 55

Priority 7 Support Services 56

Priority 8 State Protocol 58

PART THREE 59

Information and Communications Technology Plan 59

PART FOUR 68

Asset Management Plan 68

PART FIVE 72

Public Service Regulations Requirements (Chapter I, Part III B) 72

• Human Resources Plan 72

• Organisational Structure 73

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRSSTRATEGIC PLAN (2003 – 2005)

CONTENTS




WWe are entering the lastyear of the first decade ofdemocracy in South

Africa. The advent of democracy inSouth Africa also coincided with somemajor international developments suchas the end of colonialism and the endof the cold war. This was a uniqueperiod in the history of the world andpromised much: an end to the nucleararms race, improved dialoguebetween all nations of the worldthrough the United Nations, a greaterfocus on poverty and underdevelop-ment to alleviate the plight of the poor,and improved co-operation and rela-tions between countries of the Northand South.

Our own interactions were ini-tially centred on consolidating rela-tions with all nations and consolidat-ing our position in the world. Thiseffort will obviously continue within thecontext of changing global develop-ments and challenges. However, ourearly experience helped us to gain a

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DR NC DLAMINI ZUMA

‘we have committed our foreign policy to the eradication of poverty and underdevelopment’

PART ONE


better understanding of the challengesfacing our democracy and our conti-nent, and of the complexities and chal-lenges facing us as humanity.

Our collective experiences asSouth Africans have placed us in aunique position to understand andempathise with the challenges facinghumanity. Let’s reflect on just a few ofthese experiences and extrapolate theirimplications for our role internationally.Firstly, ours is a reality of two nations, –one developed and wealthy and theother marginalised and poor. We findsimilar expressions globally betweencountries of the North and those of theSouth. Hence, we have committed ourforeign policy to the eradication ofpoverty and underdevelopment, to theprotection of the vulnerable and for thetransformation of our continent and theglobal environment.

Secondly, the abuse of humanrights in South Africa demanded thatour new democracy protects and pro-motes the civil, political, social, cultur-al and development rights of all ourpeople. Such a commitment in our for-eign policy is therefore natural.

Thirdly, after decades of civilstrife and war, our leadership took theprincipled stance that our country andpeople have a right to feel safe andsecure, and therefore should be freefrom fear of Nuclear and other

Weapons of MassDestruction. Conse-quently we initiated thePelindaba ‘NuclearWeapons Free-zone’Treaty that ensures thatour continent remainsfree of such weapons.We have pursued, andwill continue, to play anactive role in areas of dis-armament.

Fourthly, SouthAfrica’s transition indicat-ed that peaceful changethrough dialogue andreconciliation is possible.Hence, we have partici-pated in the peace processes of theDemocratic Republic of Congo, theGreat Lakes Region, Comores, Sudan,Eritrea, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Israel-Palestine, the Lockerbie issue, the Iraqicrisis and others. We have committedourselves to the resolution of these con-flicts through peaceful means and byusing internationally agreed uponmechanisms for dealing with conflict.

Our experience and peacefultransition has been a symbol of hopeto millions of citizens all over theworld. It has demonstrated that apeaceful resolution of differences ispossible, that the divide between therich and the poor is not a law of

nature, and that the tidescan turn.

Our struggles andtribulations, our chal-lenges and traumas andour own history demandsthat we make meaningful contribution for thecreation of a better worldfor all. A world in whichthere is peace and secu-rity, equity amongstnations, an end toracism, sexism, xenopho-bia, intolerance, povertyand under-development.As South Africans, wemust become a positive

global influence and an agent of pro-gressive change. It is a daunting chal-lenge - but one that I believe is withinour grasp. As nations of the world wehave already begun this journey.

During the Millenium Summit thepeoples of the world came together toreaffirm a commitment that our com-mon humanity, our common environ-ment and our common ancestry linksour destiny in an inextricable way. TheMillenium Development Goals is ourre-commitment and re-dedication to thecreation of a more peaceful, prosper-ous and just world in which there isfreedom from the scourge of war andthe threat from weapons of mass



As South Africans, we

must become a

positive global

influence and an

agent of progressive

change.

“

”


destruction; there is no poverty andevery individual is able to develop tohis/her full potential; there is no dev-astation of our environment and it ispreserved for the enjoyment of ourchildren; there is respect for democra-cy, the rule of law and the rights of allpeoples and nations; there is protec-tion and assistance for the vulnerableso that they too can enjoy a meaning-ful life; there is lasting peace, prosper-ity and development for Africa; andthere is a strong United Nations thatrepresents the best interests of all peo-ples and nations of the world.

In support of the MilleniumDevelopment Goals and the creationof a better life for all, South Africa hasparticipated in several major interna-tional conferences. Each of whichmakes a significant intervention in theinternational rules based systems thatwill bring us closer to our desiredgoals. These include the WTO DohaRound, the Monterrey Consensus onFinance for Development, the WorldConference Against Racism,Xenophobia and Related Intolerances(WCAR) and the World Summit onSustainable Development.

To further the interests of Africathe continent came together to launchthe African Union, and adopted theNew Partnership for Africa’sDevelopment (Nepad) as its social

and economic development pro-gramme. Nepad targets, informed bythe Millenium Development Goals,seek to advance the legitimate socio-economic aspirations of the Africanpeople while anchoring itself on dem-ocratic values and principles. It pres-ents a continentally approved plat-form for Africa’s engagement andpartnership with the broader interna-tional community. Now that the planis in place, our focus must change toone of implementation.

Our membership of the AfricanUnion has become the biggest singlefactor in our international relations.The development of AU policies, theelaboration of Nepad and the contin-ued harmonisation of AU and Nepadpolicies with those of the RegionalEconomic Communities of the conti-nent seeks to build a more dynamicUnion capable of dealing with thechallenges of the 21st century. AUmembership, aside from the intrinsic

political, security and economic ben-efits it brings, enhances our ability toexert influence on a wider interna-tional arena.

Clearly, the vision of a newWorld Order and of an AfricanRenaissance will not be an easy taskto accomplish. Already, the threat ofwar in the Middle East is underminingthe many hard won gains we havemade during this last decade.However, now more than ever, wemust continue to garner commitmentfor global justice and equity througha rules based international system.We must continue to work towardsthe promise of peace. We must not letthe attention of the world be deviatedfrom the plight of the poverty stricken,of the vulnerable and destitute and ofthose that are the victims in times ofwar. Our common humanity shouldnot allow any of us to be contentwhen the rest of humanity is living inconditions of war and violence, andin conditions of squalor and abjectpoverty.



Our common humanity should not

allow any of us to be content...

“

”

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dr NC Dlamini Zuma




TThe role South Africa hascarved for itself in the interna-tional arena and the position

it is perceived to hold in the affairs ofthe world have brought with themenormous international responsibilitiesand expectations.

It is important to underscore thatSouth Africa’s foreign policy ispremised upon its national interests,domestic policies and values.Domestically, South Africa is commit-ted to bringing about a better life forall in an environment of peace, stabili-ty and security. This objective couldonly be achieved in an internationalenvironment characterised by globalpeace and security and an equitableand just system. Internally, SouthAfrica continues to entrench democra-cy and a culture of human rights.Externally, South Africa strongly sup-ports the democratisation of the UnitedNations system and the Bretton WoodsInstitutions. These efforts are aimed atthe reconstruction of an internationalorder in which multilateralism and

international lawprevail. Further-more, as we areendeavouring toredress the economicdisparities of thepast, globally weare part of the col-lective that is build-ing bridges and nar-rowing the dividebetween the Southand the North.

Although SouthAfrica’s formalresponsibilities ofchairing and guidinga number of majorinternational organi-sations and confer-ences will come toan end, the issuesraised during South Africa’s steward-ship of the NAM, the African Unionand the Commonwealth, as well as theWCAR and the WSSD will still be withus. These issues go to the heart of con-

structing a humane, people-centredinternational system.

By their nature these decisionsand outcomes are the result of negoti-ation between states whose world-

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY MINISTER

OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AZIZ PAHAD

CHALLENGES FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN POLICY


views and policies are in manyinstances, diametrically opposed toeach other. Hence they are the prod-uct of compromise. They represent thebest that is possible to achieve.

The overwhelming issue thatfaces South African diplomacy in thefuture is to develop ways in which thedecisions taken at the aforesaid inter-national conferences can be imple-mented.

At a time when multilateralismand the whole multilateral system thathas been built up during in the pastfifty years seems to be under threat.South Africa, together with other coun-tries, whose ability to influence worldaffairs lies in the workings of the multi-lateral system, will have to find ways todefend, protect and strengthen thatsystem.

The Non-Aligned Movement andother organisations of the South alsohave key roles to play in this regard.

This must be achieved withoutcreating the perception that SouthAfrica is hostile to any country, and atthe same time it is essential that bilat-eral relationships be managed anddeveloped in a positive manner. Theconcept of equality, sovereignty andterritorial integrity of nations mustunderpin our relations.

It remains a challenge for SouthAfrica and our partners to continue to

bridge the South-North divide andstrengthen South-South cooperation. Itis also imperative to advance the roleof the South in the global security andthe multilateral systems. In addition,the South has a role to play in ensuringthat its points of view and its interestsare reflected in the developing systemof international law.

Likewise in the economic arena,South Africa has to play a role in resolv-ing issues of interest to the South. Theseinclude market access for products ofthe countries of the South through theDoha Round at the WTO; ensuring thatresources are optomised in achievingthe objectives of the NEPAD and similarinitiatives in other developing regions;the reform of the Bretton Woods institu-tions; implementing the UN MilleniumDevelopment Goals, through theNEPAD.

Much work remains to be done

in operationalising the AU organs, likethe African Parliament, and otherAfrican agreements to deal with theproblems of the continent, includingthe resolution of conflict, health, ener-gy, and development issues.

South Africa also has a leadingrole to play in dealing with globalissues, such as terrorism, trans-frontiercrime, good governance, humanrights, democracy, peacekeeping andpeace-building, disarmament andarms control.

Two issues that will seriouslyimpact on world peace, stability andsustainable development, are theMiddle East crisis, and the peacefuldestruction of Weapons of MassDestruction in Iraq.

The issue of resolving problemsand conflicts through war or peace,has never before been so sharplyplaced on the international agenda.The future of humanity and multilateral-ism depends on the decision taken.

South Africa remains committedto seeking solutions through peacefulmeans.

The real challenge for SouthAfrican foreign policy is to be able toplay an effective role, and the role thatis expected of us, in dealing with thevast plethora of international issues thatengage us and the international com-munity at large.



... resolving problems and conflicts

through war or peace, has never

before been so sharply placed on the

international agenda.

“

”




TThis Strategic Plan outlines the service delivery commit-ments of the Department of Foreign Affairs, conductedunder the direction of the President and the Minister of

Foreign Affairs. The Plan articulates the focus of the department’swork for the 2003/04 financial year in terms of its mission state-ment of promoting and protecting South Africa’s national interestsand values, promoting the African Renaissance and creating abetter life for all.

The Plan includes all statutory requirements as defined inChapter 5 of the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of1999) and Chapter I, Part III B of the new Public ServiceRegulations (2001).

Part 1 of the Strategic Plan outlines the role and challengesfor South African Foreign Policy, the mandate of the departmentin terms of the principles and basic tenets informing our appr-oach to foreign policy, the department’s vision, mission, strategicobjectives, values and foreign policy priorities.

Foreign policy priorities have been developed after wideconsultation within the department, within the InternationalRelations, Peace and Security Cluster, within the ExtendedCabinet Committee and after due consideration to the PresidentsState of the Nation Address.

Part 2 of the plan contains the medium term objectives,Departmental Programme Structure and a Service DeliveryImprovement Plan (also referred to as a One-Year OperationalPlan). Parts 3, 4 and 5 outline plans for the management ofInformation and Communications Technology, Fixed Assets andHuman Resources.

To enhance delivery and performance time frames and per-formance indicators have been developed. However, when refer-ring to the foreign policy activities of the department, it must beborne in mind that the nature of the work does not lend itself toeasy measurement. Hence the performance indicators will con-tinue to be refined to enhance accuracy and reliability of per-formance measures. Furthermore, the environment in which the

department operates is unpre-dictable, complex, multidimensionaland involves numerous role-players.Hence, setting time frames for theachievement of priorities and objec-tives is at best difficult.

Priority interests during the2003/04 performance cycle relatesto our role and responsibilities to theAfrican Union, currently as Chairand thereafter as part of the troika,the implementation of the NewPartnership for Africa’sDevelopment, Peace and Securityand Sustainable Development.

Internally, priority is given tothe continued transformation of thedepartment with particular emphasis on Institution Building,capacity building, and efficient and effective service delivery. Thedepartment has also initiated a plan for housing the entire HeadOffice in one building, and hopes to launch the implementationphase later this year. This will represent an important milestone inuniting the department and in enhancing a corporate identity.

The Strategic Plan will form the basis for the developmentof Business Plans, Performance Agreements and resourcerequirements for Business Units at Head Office and for ourMissions abroad.

Performance reviews are scheduled during mid-term andyear-end. However, changes to the priorities, objectives andwork plans may be undertaken at any other times as well, givendevelopments in the global environment.

INTRODUCTION BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL

ABDUL S MINTY


TThe Minister of Foreign Affairs,in accordance with herCabinet portfolio responsibili-

ties, is entrusted with the formulation,promotion and execution of SouthAfrica’s foreign policy and with thedaily conduct of South Africa’s interna-tional relations. The Minister assumesoverall responsibility for all aspects ofSouth Africa’s international relations inconsultation with the President. In prac-tice, the Minister consults The Cabinetand individual Cabinet Ministers onaspects of importance, as well as onaspects that overlap with the prioritiesand programmes of other Ministriesand Departments.

In view of the Ministers overallresponsibility, the Minister advises thePresidency and Ministers on thoseinternational matters in which theyshould be involved, provides them withstrategic information on developmentsin the international arena, facilitatestheir participation at internationalevents, and advises them on policyoptions that they may pursue in thenational interests. Other CabinetMinisters are required to consult theMinister of Foreign Affairs on theirinternational role. From this practice atCabinet level, which is a Presidentialinstruction, it follows that there must bea similar interaction between depart-ments.

To facilitate interaction and col-laboration, government has imple-mented the system of Clusters at bothMinisterial and departmental levels.Important issues of foreign policy andinternational relations, the develop-ment of sector priorities and the imple-mentation of international relationsprogrammes are the core foci of theclusters. In terms on this mandate, thedepartment participates in all five clus-ters and Co-chairs the International

Relations, Peace and Security Cluster. The Parliamentary Portfolio

Committee on Foreign Affairs is animportant mechanism to ensure over-sight and accountability in the formu-lation and conduct of South Africa’sforeign policy and relations.

The Department’s overall man-date is to work for the realisation ofSouth Africa’s foreign policy objec-tives. More specifically, theDepartment’s primary mandate is to



MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT

According to the South African Constitution the President is ultimately

responsible for the foreign policy and international relations of South Africa. It is

the prerogative of the President to appoint Heads of Mission, to receive foreign

Heads of Mission, to conduct state to state relations and to negotiate and sign

all international agreements. International agreements which are not of a

technical, administrative or executive nature will only bind the Republic after

being approved by Parliament. Parliament also approves ratification or accession

of the Republic to multilateral agreements. All international agreements must be

tabled in Parliament for information purposes.


assist the Minister in carrying out hercabinet and Ministerial responsibili-ties. The Department conducts its man-date by: monitoring developments inthe international environment; commu-nicating government’s policy positions;developing and advising governmenton policy options, mechanisms andavenues for achieving objectives; pro-tecting our sovereignty and territorialintegrity, assisting South African citi-zens abroad; and by assisting partner

departments in navigating complexinternational dynamics.

South Africa’s diplomatic andconsular missions help to enhance ourinternational profile, and serve asstrategic mechanisms for the achieve-ment of our national interests and forcarrying out our mandate. SouthAfrica maintains diplomatic relationswith countries and organisationthrough 96 missions in 85 countriesabroad, and through the accreditation

of more that 160 countries and organ-isations resident in South Africa.

DEFINING SOUTH AFRICA’S FOREIGN POLICYForeign policy is a multidimen-

sional set of policies, principles, strate-gies, objectives, and plans that cannoteasily be packaged into a neatlydescribed formula. However, it is nec-essary to consider in broad but clearterms the general orientation of our for-eign policy – which serve to define ournational values and benchmark ourforeign policy decision-making andstrategies.

Our Presidents and ForeignMinisters have enunciated the princi-ples underlying South Africa’s foreignpolicy since 1994 in various forums.These include State of the Nationaddresses, budget vote speeches,addresses to international and region-al bodies such as the United Nations,the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as in vari-ous foreign policy discussion docu-ments such as those for Heads ofMission Conferences and StrategicPlanning initiatives. Despite some sig-nificant changes and developments inthe global environment, these princi-ples have remained consistent andenduring, and have taken on evengreater significance given currentinternational developments.



State of the Nation Address – President Thabo Mbeki.




The following list of South Africa’s foreign policy principles is adistillation from the aforesaid speeches, statements and documents onSouth Africa’s foreign policy.

Principles Underpinning South Africa’s Foreign PolicyThe principles which serve as guidelines in the conduct of our foreignrelations include:• A commitment to the promotion of human rights• A commitment to the promotion of democracy• A commitment to justice and international law in the conduct of

relations between nations• A commitment to international peace and to internationally

agreed upon mechanisms for the resolution of conflicts• A commitment to Africa in world affairs, and• A commitment to economic development through regional and

international cooperation in an interdependent (and globalised)world

In addition to the above principles the following tenets have beenenunciated as guidelines to instruct our approach to foreign policy:• Foreign policy is an integrated part of government policy, aimed

at promoting security and the quality of life, of all SouthAfricans

• A commitment that South Africa, as a member of the UnitedNations and as a responsible citizen of the world, will live up toits obligations in this regard and contribute to a peaceful world

• Commitment to the African Renaissance through the AfricanUnion and its programme for Africa’s development, namely theNew Partnership for Africa’s Development.

• Commitment to economic development through regionalintegration and development in the Southern AfricanDevelopment Community and the Southern African CustomsUnion.

• Interact with African partners as equals

• Pursue friendly relations with all peoples and nations of theworld

• Peace making and conflict prevention should receive priorityconsideration. Preventive diplomacy and proactive initiativesshould be the approach, and monitoring mechanisms withAfrican partners is essential

• Actively engage in efforts to secure international peace andsecurity, promote disarmament, prevent genocide, restrict theproliferation of arms and secure a new world security compactthrough the United Nations (as the primary global securitybody), the Non-Aligned Movement, the African Union, theSouthern African Development Community, the Commonwealthand other multilateral fora.

• Promote multilareralism to secure a rules-based internationalsystem

• Promote the democratisation and reform of the United Nationssystem and the Bretton Woods Institutions (i.e. InternationalMonetary Fund and World Bank).

• Promote a rules-based international trading regime through theWorld Trade Organisation.

• Combat racism, sexism, xenophobia and other relatedintolerances.

• Promote the Agenda of the South through South-South Co-operation and North-South Partnerships.

• Eradicate of poverty through the attainment of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals by 2015, and through the implementationof manifestos such as the WTO Doha Development Agenda, theMonterrey Finance for Development, World Conference AgainstRacism and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

• Support efforts to alleviate the plight of refugees and childrenin Africa, and elsewhere, and particularly support the work ofthe UNHCR

• Promote a positive image of South Africa.• Safeguard South Africa’s territorial integrity and sovereignty




VISIONOUR VISION IS AN AFRICAN CONTINENT, which is prosperous, peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united and which contributes to a world that is just an equitable

MISSIONWE ARE COMMITTED to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values, the AfricanRenaissance and the creation of a better world for all

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES• Through bilateral and multilateral interactions protect and promote South African

National interests and values• Conduct and co-ordinate South Africa’s international relations and promote its foreign

policy objectives• Monitor international developments and advise government on foreign policy and related

domestic matters• Protect South Africa’s sovereignty and territorial integrity• Contribute to the formulation of international law and enhance respect for the provisions

thereof• Promote multilateralism to secure a rules based international system• Maintain a modern, effective and excellence driven department• Provide consular services to South African nationals abroad• Provide a world class and uniquely South African State Protocol service

VALUESThe Department of Foreign Affairs adheres to the following values:• Patriotism• Loyalty• Dedication• Ubuntu• Equity• Integrity• Batho pele


PRIORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES

PEACE AND SECURITY• Conflict Management, Arms

Control and Security Co-operation• International Law, Sovereignty and

Territorial Integrity• International Crime and Terrorism• Human Rights and Democracy

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT• Economic Development • Imaging and Branding• Integration and Co-operation, and

People-to-people Relations• Poverty Alleviation and the Right to

Development• Human Resource Development and

Health• Environment

PRIORITIES OF THE MINISTRY OFFOREIGN AFFAIRS

The priorities reflect the focusareas of the department’s work pro-grammes, service delivery improvementplans and priorities of the budget for thefinancial year 2003/4.

They include the prioritiesappoved by the Extended Cabinet

Committee Meeting (January 2003,Pretoria) approved the following prior-ities of the International Relations,Peace and Security Cluster.

The priorities are:1. Facilitate South Africa’s role as

African Union Chair, and its contin-ued role as part of the AfricanUnion Troika

2. Implementation of Nepad3. Regional integration, with specific

reference to SADC and SACU4. Conflict prevention, management

and resolution 5. Economic Development and Co-

operation6. Respond to the challenge of unilater-

alism by ensuring the pr-eminence ofmultilateralism and respect for inter-national law

7. Develop a positive image of SouthAfrica and to market South Africainternationally

8. Provide efficient and effective sup-port services

SOUTH AFRICA’S REGIONAL AND

MULTILATERAL INTERESTS

AFRICAThe South African Government

has consistently espoused the view thatSouth Africa’s destiny cannot, and

should not, be isolated from that of itsneighbours in the Southern Africanregion and the rest of the AfricanContinent. The Government's vision forthe Continent involves the highest pos-sible degree of economic co-opera-tion, mutual assistance and joint plan-ning, consistent with socio-economic,environmental and political realities.

The department’s work on theAfrican continent is principally con-cerned with the resolution of conflict,the elaboration of the New Partnershipfor Africa's Development (NEPAD), thetransformation of the OAU into theAfrican Union (AU), and the restructur-ing of the Southern African Develop-ment Community (SADC). These objec-tives have as ultimate goal the creationof the conditions for Africans to devel-op themselves and their communities totheir full potential.

NEPAD is being elaborated as acontinental instrument to advance peo-ple-centred development, based ondemocratic values and principles. Itfunctions internally to commit Africangovernments to good governance andto detailed programmes of action, andto projects linked to specific time-frames. Externally, it represents a plat-form for Africa’s engagement andequal partnership with the broaderinternational community. It thereforeprovides a strategic framework for the




establishment of partnerships aimed atencouraging development initiativesand programmes in Africa. In thissense NEPAD has brought about a ver-itable paradigm shift in the restructur-ing of the continent’s patterns of inter-action, particularly with the highlyindustrialised countries of the North.

As the culmination of the politicaland economic action of the continent, theAU can only achieve its full potential if itsregional building blocks are in place. Forthis reason, particular attention is givento the restructuring of SADC, a processthat has in effect created a totally neworganisation in the Southern Africanregion. Within the region SADC will ofnecessity remain the primary vehicle forSouth African policy and action toachieve regional economic develop-ment. Of particular importance in theSouthern African context, is the develop-ment of SADC's 5-year RegionalIndicative Strategic Development Plan(RISDP) which will be aimed at opera-tionalising the restructured SADC. Thisplan is informed by NEPAD so as toensure that the SADC developmentagenda is aligned with that of the AU.Naturally the effective operationalisationof the SADC Organ on Politics, Defenceand Security will underpin the RISDP.

As a prerequisite for the success-ful implementation of NEPAD, we willcontinue to contribute to the creation of

an enabling environment for the reso-lution of conflicts in Africa, and pro-mote and work towards the creation ofa peaceful region and Continent. Tothis end, our work in the African conti-nent will promote South Africa’sregional and multilateral intereststowards the realisation of the AfricanRenaissance through the promotion ofthe objectives of the African Union andNEPAD, in the following areas:

• Within Southern Africa we will seekto maximise the potential of eachSADC member state in terms of secu-rity and stability; economic andsocial development and civil societyinteraction; in support of the restruc-turing of SADC and the implementa-tion of NEPAD.

• For the rest of the Continent, we willseek to maximise the potential ofAfrican countries in terms of securityand stability; economic and socialdevelopment and civil society inter-action; in support of the operationali-sation of the African Union and itsorgans, in particular theCommission; the rationalisation andstrengthening of the RegionalEconomic Communities (RECs) forthe implementation of NEPAD.

• We will also oversee the nationalimplementation of NEPAD in terms

of the identification and implementa-tion of projects; assist in creating agreater synergy and compatibilitybetween national, regional and con-tinental programmes of action, andpromote efforts towards developingappropriate capacities in both RECsand individual countries.

By utilising the appropriate mech-anisms of the Continent such as RECs,we intend to work towards the actualdesign and implementation of socialand economic development projects, asidentified within the framework ofNEPAD, bilateral commissions and like-minded multilateral groupings.

The department will continue tosupport the African Union OutreachPublic Awareness Programme. In thisregard all segments of Africa civil socie-ty will be engaged in the continent’s inte-gration process as well as in the formu-lation and implementation of pro-grammes of the African Union andNEPAD.

In the implementation of thesepriorities, the Department will utilisethe capacities of Head Office and ourMissions in African countries, and willseek to build upon the interaction ofour political principals and partnerdepartments, with their counterparts.The Department will also continue toengage with African Missions accred-ited to South Africa




ASIA AND AUSTRALASIASince 1994 South Africa’s inter-

action with Asia has increased signifi-cantly: South Africa presently has fif-teen residential Missions in Asia andAustralasia. Eighteen countries fromthis region currently have diplomaticMissions in Pretoria.

Over the past two decades Asiahas emerged as one of the world’sfastest-growing economic blocs. Rapidgrowth in China, India and otherSouth East Asian states has made Asiaone of the most dynamic regions ofthe world. Despite Japan’s economicwoes, it is still the second largest econ-omy in the world. This economicdynamism in Asia has generatedtremendous businessopportunities for SouthAfrica. Japan and Taiwanfeature prominently asmarkets for South Africanindustrial products, suchas vehicles, and as afflu-ence increases in Chinaand India, exports ofvalue-added goods tothese countries are likelyto grow.

While Japan,Malaysia and Taiwanalready rank among theforemost sources of for-eign investment, the signif-

icance of China and India, as a futuresource of investments in South Africa,is expected to grow. South Africa’sinternational companies are findingattractive investment opportunities inChina, Indonesia and Thailand indiverse fields such as mining, mineralsprocessing, electronic media and thepetro-chemical industry.

Nevertheless, the potential Asiaoffers as a market for South Africangoods and a source of direct invest-ment remains largely untapped.Exploiting these opportunities is one ofSouth Africa’s most important strategicobjectives in the region.

The assertiveness of the region inglobal politics is increasingly visible,

as demonstrated by the high-profilerole played by key Asian countries inglobal affairs: China is a permanentmember of the UN Security Council,Japan is an influential member of theG8 while India and Japan harbourambitions to be permanent members ofa reformed UN Security Council. SouthAfrica and key Asian countries agreeon important multilateral issues, suchas the reform of the WTO and UN,international disarmament, small armsproliferation and environmental issues.Continued co-operation with Asiancountries on these multilateral issues iscrucial to the multilateral foreign poli-cies South Africa is promoting.

Despite its generally perceivedidentity as a unified bloc,Asia comprises a rich diver-sity of cultures and peoples.Greater Asia today alsoincorporates former SovietUnion Asian states that arereasserting their Asian rootsagainst their previouslyenforced Eastern Europeanidentity. These countriesoffer new economic oppor-tunities for South Africa,inter alia in the oil and min-ing industries. Furthermore,Australasia is moving closerto Asia in terms of carvingan identity for itself within




the Asian region and sees its econom-ic future as being tied to Asia.

Several important Muslim coun-tries, e.g. Indonesia, Malaysia,Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brunei,Afghanistan and Indonesia, are Asianand have significant influence in theMuslim world. All of the aforemen-tioned countries are members of the52 nation strong Organisation ofIslamic Conference (OIC). Malaysia,which assumed the Chair of NAM dur-ing February 2003, will also becomethe Chair of the OIC in October 2003.South Africa’s partnership withMalaysia in the pursuit of commongoals in the international arena is ofcritical importance.

Key Asian countries are alsocommitted to contributing to the imple-mentation of the NEPAD. Several exist-ing Africa-Asia co-operation fora, suchas the Tokyo International Conferenceon African Development (TICAD),China-Africa Co-operation Forum andIndia’s Focus Africa Programme arebeing synchronized with NEPAD inorder to serve as implementing institu-tions. NEPAD was well received inSouth East Asia as is illustrated by thereception President Mbeki received atthe XIIIth ASEAN Summit inCambodia. As a result of SouthAfrica’s participation at the Summit, adecision was taken to hold the

Bandung Afro-Asian Conference dur-ing April 2003. This conference willbe a valuable opportunity to forgecloser ties between Asia and Africa.

Countries of the North (especial-ly the US and EU member states)recognise Asia as a strategicallyimportant region and their increasing-ly high profile involvement with the keycountries of Asia on both economicand political fronts bears testimony tothis. The location of military bases inJapan, South Korea and a significantmilitary presence in Uzbekistan, illus-trate the strategic importance the USattaches to the region.

Several key countries of Asia areleading role-players of the South. They

share common membership with SouthAfrica in international organisationssuch as the NAM, G-77 and theCommonwealth. South Africa alsoplays a leading role in the IndianOcean Rim Association for RegionalCo-operation (IOR-ARC).

Asia comprises of both develop-ing and developed countries. It istherefore imperative for South Africa tostrengthen ties with this strategicallyimportant region, “to strengthen ourrelations with countries of the South,and improve our multifaceted relationswith the developed world”, as statedin President Mbeki’s State of theNation Address on 14 February,2003.



ASIA’S ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE TO SOUTH AFRICA AND NEPAD:

• More than 27% of South African foreign trade, some R70-billion per annum, is conductedwith countries in Asia

• Asia can be a strategic partner in human resource development, agriculture, infrastructureconstruction, ICT, health and private sector development for South Africa and Africa torealise the implementation of NEPAD

• Tourism from Asia is an important source of income for South Africa and there is a needto further explore opportunities in new and existing markets

• Investment from the region has grown significantly since 1994 and continues to expand• Present ODA to South Africa from Japan, the third largest contributor, is significant• Co-operation between Asia and South Africa in international fora such as the WTO, UNC-

TAD, IMF and the World Bank is crucial in promoting the interests of the countries of theSouth.




MIDDLE EASTThe primary strategic significance

of the region emerges from its role asthe repository of and conduit for theworld's largest oil reserves, as well asof other sources of energy such as natu-ral gas. Historically, the region's strate-gic importance was augmented by itsgeo-political location as a "bridge"between Europe and Asia; however thesignificance of this role has waned dueto innovations in communications andtransport technologies and as a conse-quence of the ending of the Cold War.More recently, the region has beenassociated with the emergence of so-called "Islamic extremism" and hasbeen identified by countries such as theUSA with the emergence of terrorist net-works such as Al-Qaeda. Most recently,the issues of Iraqi compliance withUNSC resolutions on disarmament andthe US-led war against Iraq have domi-nated the international agenda.

The region has been commonlyperceived as a source of politicalvolatility in the global landscape. Aprimary source of this volatility hasbeen the ongoing issue of Israel-Palestine and the historical conflictbetween Israel and the Arab world. Ata broader level, the region's status asthe repository of the world's largest oilreserves has had crucial significancefor its place in international politics

and over its domestic politics. As notedabove, more recently, Western-basedapprehensions over "Islamic extrem-ism" and over terrorist networks havealso generated concerns about the sta-bility of the region.

Against the background of SouthAfrica’s own transformation to democ-racy, it has to be noted that most rulingregimes in the region are non-demo-cratic (in the Western sense) and con-sist of dynastic monarchies. With theexceptions of Iraq, Iran and Syria,

most regimes in the region tend to relyon Western political support and eco-nomic investment. With the exceptionof Israel, most regimes project them-selves as Islamic-based and pan-Arabist. It is noteworthy however thatthere is significant disquiet and discon-tent at a popular level (the "Arabstreet") regarding the links of manyGovernments with the USA and withthe West, which is often manifested ina rhetoric of politicised Islam and/orArab solidarity. There are also signs of

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr NC Dlamini Zuma, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad together with

Palistinian Minister of Planning and International Co-operation Nabil Sha-ath

after a Bilateral meeting in Pretoria – March 2003.


dissidence against the ongoing auto-cratic and unrepresentative nature ofthe ruling regimes.

South Africa is largely dependenton the Middle East as a supplier of oil,resulting, in the cases of Iran and SaudiArabia, in negative balance of tradeaccounts. Some Gulf states haverecognised the importance of diversifi-cation (notably the United ArabEmirates, Kuwait and Qatar) althoughmost oil producing countries remain pri-marily dependent on a single-commod-

ity economy. The degree to which mostgovernments have been able to sub-sidise their indigenous populations viaoil revenues has meant that prevailingpolitical dispensations have remainedlargely unchallenged, but that there issignificant underdevelopment of humanresources. Most countries are signifi-cantly dependent on expatriate labour(including South Africans).

Since 1994, South Africa's inter-action with the Middle East hasincreased greatly. South Africa current-

ly maintains 11 Missions in the regionand 14 countries from the Middle Easthave diplomatic missions in Pretoria.South Africa maintains cordial rela-tions with all countries of the region. Ingeneral, there has been support inprinciple for both the AU and NEPAD,although this must be leveraged interms of concrete commitments. Formalco-operation between the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and SADC isbeing pursued. South Africa has alsoapplied for Observer status of theOrganisation of Islamic Conference(OIC). Recently, the League of ArabStates indicated that it intended open-ing an office in Pretoria. South Africahas further multilateral links throughthe NAM, the G-77 and the IOR-ARC.

As Chair of the Non-AlignedMovement, South Africa has attemptedto play a constructive role in address-ing both the Israel-Palestine impasse aswell as the situation of Iraq.

Politically, South Africa's contri-butions to the Middle East PeaceProcess and toward resolving the crisisover Iraq, have increased its profile inthe region and have earned itenhanced respect. However, this mustbe complemented with an enhancedand revitalised economic strategy andinitiative. The potential for trade andinvestment remains significant and hasyet to be pursued to its fullest degree.



Super Moloi (left) and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad (right) at a media briefing on the visit to Iraqby the South African technical team on the issue of disarmament .


AMERICASThe countries of Latin America

and the Caribbean, with a totalpopulation of 543,4 million inhabi-tants are of importance to SouthAfrica in terms of, inter alia, closerSouth-South cooperation. SouthAfrica, together with Cuba andJamaica are members of the NAMZimbali Working Group, tasked toinvestigate the relevance of theNon-Aligned Movement in the cur-rent global environment. Cubarequested South Africa’s support inits bid to host the XIV NAM SummitConference.

President Mbeki will addressthe CARICOM Heads ofGovernment Summit, to be held inJamaica in July 2003. The secondmeeting of the SA/Brazil JointCommission and the third meetingof the SA/Cuban BilateralCommission will be held in SouthAfrica this year.

Proposals have been madeto broaden political dialogue, tocapitalise on opportunities pre-sented by the coming to power ofBrazilian President Lula da Silva,while the election of a new ArgentinePresident in March is expected to pro-vide further opportunities for fruitfulengagement with Argentina.Negotiations with MERCOSUR with a

view of establishing a free tradeagreement between Mercosur andSACU are continuing.

The North American region,which includes the most economicallypowerful country in the world, is ofgreat importance to South Africa. To a

large extent, the economy of theUnited States, determines the stateof the global economy.

The United States and Canadahave both pledged and reiteratedtheir strong support for the NEPADprocess, both bilaterally and withinthe context of the G-8. The chal-lenge is to ensure that this politicalwill is translated into a sustainableand tangible programme of action.Of critical importance will be theactive bilateral engagement of theUS and Canada on issues such asthe need to increase official devel-opment assistance as a means tobuilding the necessary capacity toaccess developed markets;increased foreign direct investmentinto Africa and provide deeper andwider debt relief.

Although the US is SouthAfrica’s largest single trading part-ner and source of foreign directinvestment since 1994, there is sig-nificant scope for improvement. Ofcritical importance and priority inNorth America is therefore to re-

double our efforts to increase SouthAfrican exports, improve Africa’s mar-ket access into North America and toincrease the number of tourists fromNorth America. In this regard, thebranding of South Africa will be of crit-ical importance.



Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma with her Mexican

counterpart Jorge Castaneda, Mexico City – October 2002.


A significant priority will be toensure a beneficial outcome of the pro-posed comprehensive (free) tradeagreement negotiations between theSouthern African Customs Union(SACU) and the US. Given the fact thatsuch comprehensive trade agreementsestablish long-term relationships,beyond technical issues of trade, theDepartment must play an integral andpro-active part in the negotiationprocess together with DTI.

EUROPEThe most impor-

tant dimensions of theSA-EU partnership arethe economic and polit-ical dimensions and theEU’s contribution to thesuccess of NEPAD.Relations at both eco-nomic and political lev-els have intensified andstrengthened since1994.

The EU is SouthAfrica’s main tradingpartner. Trade relationsbetween the EU andSouth Africa are con-ducted within theframework of the Tradeand DevelopmentC o o p e r a t i o n

Agreement (TDCA) and its protocols orside agreements on Science andTechnology, Wines and Spirits andFisheries as well as in the context ofthe World Trade Organisation (WTO).Since the signing of the TDCA, tradebetween South Africa and the EU hassignificantly increased.

Other fora, such as the Africa –EU forum, the Franco – Africa forumand Bi-National Commissions withindividual EU Member States alsoserve as useful links in strengthening

South Africa –EU partnership. South Africa’s political relations

with the EU date back to the pre 1994period. With the advent of democracy,political relations were formalisedthrough Ministerial meetings withEuropean Commissioners and Headsof State and Government of MembersStates and Parliamentary interactionswith European Parliamentarians.Political relations will further bestrengthened through the establishmentof the Political Dialogue as enunciated

in the TDCA.Common interests

on global peace andsecurity, multilateralism,sustainable developmentand a just and equitableworld have broughtSouth Africa and the EUeven closer.

The signing of theCotonou PartnershipAgreement (CPA),between the EU and theACP, to which SouthAfrica is party, provideda more formalised frame-work for the conduct ofPolitical Dialoguebetween the EU and theACP group. This willbring further impetus topolitical debate.



Deputy Prime Minister Matviyenko of the Russian Federation and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr NC Dlamini

Zuma sign a Bilateral agreement during the 2nd ITEC held in Pretoria – December 2002




South Africa is engaging the EUat a high political level to ensure thatSouth Africa, Africa and NEPADremain on the agenda of the EU’s pro-gramme.

The accession, in 2004, of 8Central European countries to theEuropean Union will change the natureof South Africa’s political and econom-ic relations with these countries as theywill, as European Union members,conform to the guidelines and legalframeworks of that body. To be ade-quately prepared for this, an intensifi-cation of relations, with particularemphasis on market access, includingthe sourcing of tourism could be seenas the broad areas of focus.

The bilateral relations betweenSouth Africa and the RussianFederation is moving towards a strate-gic partnership through its Inter-Governmental Committee on Tradeand Economic Co-operation – thismomentum should be sustained. Thebilateral relations with Turkey, espe-cially at the political level, shouldreceive further attention in terms ofhigh level visits because of Turkey’sgeostrategic position within Europe,the Middle East and Asia.

The Nordic countries, as a groupand individually, are of the most stead-fast supporters of South Africa andAfrica in Europe. The Nordic countries

were amongst the first to give their fullsupport to the African Renaissanceduring the South Africa - NordicSummit of 2000 and reaffirmed thisduring the South Africa - NordicSummit of 2002. The Nordic countrieslook to South Africa as one of theirmost important partners in Africa andhave supported various projects suchas conflict resolution and peacekeep-ing. On a multilateral level there isgood co-operation between SouthAfrica and the Nordic countries andthere have been various joint initia-tives. The Nordic countries have beenlong time supporters of democracy inSouth Africa and have since 1994contributed over a billion rand indevelopment co-operation throughoutthe country. The Nordic countries haveincreased their investment in and tradewith South Africa dramatically, andthis trend continues. South Africa is agrowing tourist destination for theNordic countries and investment in thetourist industry continues to increase.

MULTILATERALThe importance of multilateralism

for South African foreign policy hasbeen succinctly articulated by thePresident during the 57th session of theUnited Nations General Assembly(October, 2002) as well as during theState of the Nation Address (February,

2003). The President emphasized thecentrality of multilateralism as the pre-eminent mechanisms for maintainingglobal order and for dealing with thecurrent challenges facing humanity.

It is also evident in the followingextract of the Deputy MinistersResponse to the President’s State of theNation Address (February, 2003):

“ The cornerstone of our foreignpolicy will be to end conflicts peace-fully, to achieve a new world order thatis more equitable and people-centredand to create conditions for sustain-able development. This demands thatwe strengthen and not weaken multi-lateralism.” - Deputy-Minister AzizPahad: Response to State of theNation Address: 18 February 2003.

One of the main consequences ofglobalisation has been that nationshave perceived that complex issues,which affect all countries across theglobe, need global solutions. Therehas therefore been a strong movementtowards multilateralism and anincreased importance placed on therole of global organisations, particu-larly the United Nations.

Multilateralism is also importantbecause it offers the smallest andweakest nations an opportunity tomake their voices heard, either indi-vidually, or through regional groupswithin organisations.




South Africa supports a mul-tilateral approach to globalissues, especially those seriouslyaffecting Africa, because it offersthe best opportunity for Africanstates to achieve their objectives.Unfortunately the current multilat-eral system is highly skewed infavour of the developed countriesand is in serious need of reform.

The cornerstone of our

foreign policy will be to end

conflicts peacefully, to

achieve a new world order

that is more equitable and

people-centred and to create

conditions for sustainable

development. This demands

that we strengthen and not

weaken multilateralism.

“

”




The issues, however, cannot waitfor the system to be reformed, soa two-track approach is needed:making the best of the availableopportunities that the system hasto offer, while working from with-in for reform. Prime candidatesfor reform are the UN itself,especially the Security Council,and the Bretton WoodsInstitutions. The issues of theWTO are more complex since itis the global trading system thatneeds to be restructured, and notso much the organisation itself.

South Africa should intensi-fy implementation of the DurbanDeclaration and Programme ofAction domestically, and con-tribute to the efforts of the UN fol-low-up at the international level.

South Africa should contin-ue to work for a stronger human-itarian response capability todeal with African and globalcrises, especially the food crisisin Southern Africa, and promo-tion of the right to development.

The three key areas where a multilateral approach offers the Department the bestprospects for results favourable to the African Renaissance and the NEPAD are:

PEACE, SECURITY AND STABILITY As South Africa’s lead representative abroad, the Department works withinin the framework of the

AU/NEPAD and the context of the UN system (especially the UNGA and the Security Council) for an

end to conflicts in Africa and the rest of the world.

We should continue to work for peace and stability through the promotion of non-proliferation and

global disarmament, especially in the area of Weapons of Mass Destruction . We will continue our

endeavours in the AU and SADC for conflict prevention, resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and

development. A special emphasis will be placed on small arms and demining. We will also use our

leadership positions in the NAM and Commonwealth Troika to achieve these goals.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND THE WORLDSouth Africa needs to continue to encourage support for the development agenda of the South, with

special reference to the NEPAD, as well as promote the implementation of the outcomes of major

global development conferences such as the Millennium Summit, WTO Doha, WCAR, Monterrey FfD and

the WSSD.

We need to ensure a focus on Africa, using the NEPAD as a framework, in all UN Specialised Agencies,

as well as encourage support for health programmes, especially in Africa, with HIV-AIDS as a central

focus. We need to work within existing groupings (G77 etc) in striving to achieve these objectives, but

should also seek improvements to the way these groupings function.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY South Africa should continue working in the AU/NEPAD and the UN system for the promotion of

democracy, human rights and respect for international humanitarian law across the globe, with a

special emphasis on women’s and children’s rights, as well as the rights of the disabled.


Documents

Strategic PlanD EPARTMENT OF F OREIGN A FFAIRS Strategic Plan 2003 – 2005 2 Design & Layout Department of Foreign Affairs Internal Communications Part 1 Pages 01 - 26 5/7/03 8:21