Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mr Gugile Nkwinti will today, 16 October 2015 address the 2015 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum taking place in Beijing, China. The Minister is accompanied by the Deputy Director General Ms Leona Archary, and other senior managers in the Department.
The minister is among the more than 300 delegates from across the globe including leaders of government, development organisations, business, civil society and academics. The forum, under the theme “Common Development through Shared Efforts on Poverty Eradication” will discuss topics such as the post-2015 development agenda, poverty reduction goals and targeted poverty reduction strategies. The event is hosted by the government of China’s State Council Leading Group of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOPAD). The minister is attending the event at the invitation of the Minister of the State Council Leading Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development in China. Delegates attending the forum will share experiences on poverty eradication initiatives and challenges facing the world in the post 2015 era.
Minister Nkwinti is also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the State Council’s Leading Group on Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOPAD) in China and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
The DRDLR has been working with China through the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China (IPRCC) since 2014. Since the establishment of the partnership with the IPRCC the DRDLR has undertaken study tours to China as part of skills development for youth in business and to enhance the department’s rural youth enterprise development initiatives. The LGOPAD minister has acknowledged Minister Nkwinti’s experience and insights as most valuable in contributing to a productive exchange of ideas and the formulation of recommendations related to promoting inclusive development and poverty reduction.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform recognises the fact that poverty alleviation efforts are intrinsically linked to the availability and land for food production. As such land reform initiatives and the establishment of Agri-parks are among the key programs aimed improving food security for rural communities in South Africa.
October 16, marks the date of the founding of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in 1975. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity" (resolution 35/70 of 5 December).
Enquiries:
Mr Sivuyile Mangxamba
(Acting) Chief Director: Strategic Communication
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
Tel: 012 312 8881
Cell: 071 334 2915
