ASEAN, South Africa inaugurate the sectoral dialogue partnership. (Photo: https://asean.org Earlier,the ASEAN Foreign Ministers granted the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner toSouth Africa at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July, 2023, in Indonesia.The First ASA-JSCC was held to provide direction and oversee all aspects ofcooperation under the ASEAN-South Africa Sectoral Dialogue Partnershipframework.
Themeeting adopted the Terms of Reference for ASA-JSCC and deliberated onseveral areas of future cooperation. On the political sphere, the meetingencouraged South Africa to explore cooperation in four areas of the ASEANOutlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), as well as in areas of peace andreconciliation, and prevention and countering terrorism and violent extremism.
On theeconomic front, the meeting encouraged South Africa to explore practicalcooperation in areas of mutual interest and benefits, including trade andinvestment; public-private partnership; strengthening of Micro, Small andMedium Enterprises (MSMEs); tourism; transport; energy; critical mineralssector and mineral resources; information and communication technology; foodsecurity; halal industry; sustainable agriculture; blue economy; digitaleconomy; fisheries; aquaculture and forestry; research and innovation; as wellas science and technology.
Themeeting noted the four key economic partnership priorities that ASEAN would liketo advance with South Africa, namely strengthening ASEAN’s market integration; sustainabilityand decarbonisation; digital transformation; and inclusive development such as MSMEs, public-private partnership and people-to-people exchanges.
On the socio-cultural sphere, the meeting explored cooperation in the areas of health, women empowerment,education and climate change; and step up efforts to enhance people-to-peoplecontacts through exchange programmes involving youths, students, media andartists as well as scholarship programmes.
The meeting also encouragedSouth Africa to consider undertaking cooperation activities with the ASEANCentre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), ASEANCentre for Climate Change, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), ASEAN Centrefor Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), ASEAN Regional MineAction Centre (ARMAC), ASEAN Foundation and AHA Centre. Further, the Meetingalso welcomed South Africa’s support for the implementation of the Initiativefor ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV and the Master Plan on ASEANConnectivity (MPAC) 2025.
Both sides also agreed todevelop the ASEAN-South Africa Practical Cooperation Areas which will serve asa guiding framework in achieving shared goals and corresponding priorities inthe coming years.
The meeting was co-chaired by DeputySecretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Tran Duc Binh,and Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations andCooperation of South Africa Kwati Candith Mashego-Dlamini. It was attended byAmbassador of South Africa to ASEAN Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro and members ofthe Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representativesand their respective delegations. Representatives from Timor-Leste were also inattendance as observer./.
