DIRCO Annual Report

Solidarity Fund, in addition to numerous other projects that they have. Further contributions for PPE and test kits were secured from the United States of America (USA), Russia, Turkey, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, while Cuba donated in the form of medical and health professionals. Much of the focus of the department during the first six months was on the repatriation process, not only of South African nationals stranded abroad, but also of American and European nationals stranded in South Africa. The department also contributed to efforts to support South Africa’s economic recovery by facilitating the entry of foreign experts during the Level 5 and 4 lockdown periods. During the last six months of the reporting year, the department sought to consolidate its work and maximise on some gains presented by the partial lifting of the lockdown, both in South Africa and partner countries. Some gains were made in some bilateral relations, while with others momentum still lacked. The department also had to manage the process of the closure of several diplomatic missions, which has continued to be a delicate matter to navigate with partner countries. Instructive lessons are emerging from the few missions that are facing closure during the first half of 2021. Despite the pending closures, efforts have been made, at different levels politically and at senior officials level, to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to maintaining bilateral relations with the affected countries. Engagement through targeted bilateral and regional structured mechanisms, as well as, high-level visits; and effective follow-up on their outcomes During the reporting period, the department strove to promote and maintain bilateral political, economic and social relations with countries in the Americas and Europe through SBMs and high-level visits (HLVs). Most SBMs and planned HLVs could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there have been extensive virtual engagements between the President, Minister and Deputy Ministers with their counterparts, whose outcomes, in many ways, continued to advance the objectives of the NDP and contributed to domestic priorities. Objectives

The strategic realignment in the Middle East reflected in the Abraham Accords and the fracturing of the decades-old Arab consensus linking progress on the MEPP and Palestinian Statehood and recognition of Israel, resulted in increased engagement with partners in the region and consideration of South Africa’s policy options. Support provided for the Palestinian cause includes assistance provided to the functioning of the Palestinian Embassy in Pretoria; plans to support the hosting in South Africa of a regional Heads of Mission Conference for Palestine Ambassadors in Africa; and coordination with non-governmental organisations and civil society. AMERICAS AND EUROPE During 2020/21, relations with the region focussed on assisting in the realisation of the NDP, the MTSF, the priorities articulated in the 2019 State of the Nation Address and DIRCO’s Strategic Plan objectives during this performance cycle. Americas and Europe, as a region, remains one of South Africa’s most important sources of trade, investment, tourism and development assistance. The region holds immense potential for the cultivation of partnerships towards capitalisation from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technology and skills transfers, to the development of value-adding industries for South Africa and the African continent. The region holds significant strength in terms of its global political power in multilateral organisations and on the African continent. COVID-19 inhibited the department from pursuing a “normal” agenda with countries in the region. It was not possible to arrange high-level visits or in-person SBMs during this period. Even so, the President and the Minister conducted telephonic conversations with several of their counterparts, including those from Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Jamaica, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, during which cooperation on dealing with the pandemic was top on the agenda. Most of the work done was towards the sourcing COVID-19 test kits and PPE, with successful programmes established with the Government of the Netherlands and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Germany, through a partnership involving the German Government and German automotive companies, constructed field hospitals in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, while the United Kingdom made a R50-million contribution to the

Annual Report 2020/2021 I Vote No. 6

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