International Relations committee welcomes launch of an advisory council on SA’s Foreign Policy
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation welcomes the successful launch of the 25-member Advisory Council on South Africa’s foreign policy and international relations.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, who attended the launch on Thursday in Pretoria, said the South African Council on International Relations (SACOIR) is a policy think-tank on foreign affairs whose input would be varied in approach and above board.
“This body is launched at a right time when SA is in need of increased interaction with the world and sustained foreign direct investments. The world as we know is a contested terrain when it comes to such aspects as trade, business, stability and so on, this means the kind of foreign relations we prioritise as SA should seek to benefit our people,” Mr Masango said.
“The work on foreign affairs cannot be relegated only to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), but should also include other arms of the State, as well as the public and ensure that SA’s foreign policy is regularly reviewed by all,” he said.
SACOIR will act as a consultative forum on SA’s foreign policy and also advise the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. The body is made up of experts in various fields like business, labour, civil society and academia.
Mr Masango said this was a progressive step in the right direction for SA.
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