The Department of International Relations and Cooperation will host the inaugural meeting of the South Africa-Philippines Bilateral Consultative Forum (BCF) scheduled to take place on 30 January 2013 in Pretoria.
The meeting comes after the signing of the Agreement between the two countries on the sidelines of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly that took place on 27 September 2012 in New York.
The BCF serves as an instrument for structured bilateral consultations with the aim of advancing cooperation between the two countries. The focus of the meeting will be on strengthening relations with the Philippines, specifically in the areas of trade, investment, tourism and culture. Further discussions are expected to centre on issues of mutual interest in terms of regional and multilateral developments, as well as on new areas of possible cooperation.
The Government of South Africa established formal diplomatic relations with the Philippines on 1 November 1993. The Embassy of the Philippines in Pretoria was established on 03 June 1994. South Africa in turn established an Embassy in Manila on 09 December 2004.
Relations between South Africa and the Philippines are strong both on the bilateral and multilateral levels. Both countries are influential in organisations of the South, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 and China (G77). There is, however, considerable scope for the deepening of relations at the bilateral level, through these structured interactions and other high-level visits.
Enquiries:
Mr. Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
