The Branch: Americas and the Caribbean is guided by three high-level objectives, namely Strengthening South-South relations, Strengthening relations with strategic formations of the North and Strengthening Political and Economic relations.
The Branch: Americas and the Caribbean is guided by three high-level objectives, namely Strengthening South-South relations, Strengthening relations with strategic formations of the North and Strengthening Political and Economic relations.
Strengthen bilateral relations: Continuous engagement and collaboration with North America as well as Latin American and Caribbean countries with focus to implement South Africa’s foreign policy objective.
Strengthen bilateral relations: Continuous engagement and collaboration with North America as well as Latin American and Caribbean countries with focus to implement South Africa’s foreign policy objective.
Focus on Economic Ties: Incorporation of growth path elements, specifically: Job drivers such as increased exports of green technology, agriculture value chain (e.g. Cooperation with Brazil and Argentina), manufactured goods, mining value-added products (e.g. cooperation with Chile);
Duly explore the vast opportunities presented by the energy/mining sectors of the LAC region to the benefit of South Africa’s objective to diversify sources of energy and attain energy security;
Intergovernmental Cooperation: Continue to improve cooperation with all spheres of South African government’s involvement in the entire region.
People-to-people contact: Strengthen and expand relationships with non-state actors (South African citizens in the Americas, private sector, NGOs, media and civil society);
Optimally use the opportunities presented by synergies in policy development, specifically as it relates to socio-economic issues, food security and social cohesion
Achievements
Achievements
- Steady growth in visits and bilateral contact with the region. President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers on separate visits to the region. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, US
Areas of growth in value-added Trade (exports) and Tourism.
Successful alignment of our bilateral agenda with domestic Strategic Priorities, for example in the field of Health with Cuba (increased medical students intake to 1800).
Challenges:
Insufficient resources made available in order to optimally engage and to duly capitalise on opportunities available and improve SA’s footprint in the region. Unfunded mandate.
Schedule of Principals;
Drug trafficking and security negatively affecting operational environment and putting stress on resources of Missions, specifically consular services.
To ensure that bilateral relations are not neglected as a result of trilateral and multilateral commitments.
Vast region with differing realities – approach of “one size fits all” not possible.
