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: 8h30 - 13h30
Venue: Multipurpose Room 4, O.R Tambo Building, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria
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.
- How SA joined BRICS
- Why BRICS membership is important
- BRICS priorities vs. South African government priorities
- 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.
- Fifth BRICS Summit theme, agenda and programme
- Envisaged deliverables of the Summit:
Question and answer session.
11h30-12h30 - Presentations on the raison d’être of BRICS:
- Mr Clayson Monyela, DDG: Public Diplomacy
- Ms Nelia Barnard, Director: BRICS
Question and answer session.
Closure
12h30 - 13h30 - Lunch
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
Cell: 076 431 3078
