South Africans and Ethiopians - a kindred relation

23 January 2020

Looking back on Ethiopia’s rich history, and its relations with South Africa, it is surprising that Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali’s visit to South Africa is the first official visit by an Ethiopian Head of State to this country. This was, in fact, the first state-level visit either way between the two of African countries.

Photo: President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali ahead of Official Talks at the Union Buildings. (Kopano Tlape GCIS)

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was the chief guest at the 108th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC), the majority political party in South Africa’s democratically constituted parliament under the presidency of President Cyril Ramaphosa. While in South Africa, Prime Minister Abiy addressed the Ethiopian diaspora at a rally in Johannesburg.

UNDP: Influencing the Global Development Agenda

By Srimal Fernando

The establishment of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ushered a new era during the course of United Nations (UNs) exemplary journey.   In September 2000 at the Millennium Summit the world leaders pledged to reduce poverty by 2015 focusing on the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

(Photo credit Pixabay)

After all, the UNDP has been able to take the lead in accomplishing global impact on humanitarian priorities.  As a result of this effort the UNDP played a pivotal role in taking a billion people out of extreme poverty by reducing global poverty by half over the last 30 years. 

Vladimir Putin on the Priorities of Russia’s Presidency in BRICS

2 January 2020

'BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Common Security and Innovative Growth'

Over the past 10 years, BRICS has achieved serious results and has gained a reputation as a respected association. At the same time, the coordination mechanisms established within BRICS make it possible to cooperate effectively in politics, security, trade, finance and culture.

It is important that the BRICS countries closely cooperate in addressing global and regional problems. Together we speak in favour of strict compliance with the norms of international law and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs. Our countries promote influence of developing countries in the global management system, as well the establishment of a more just global order.

The BRICS member states consistently deepen mutually beneficial economic ties, strengthen trade and investment flow and together address such important tasks as industrial upgrading, the introduction of innovation technologies, and improvement in our people’s welfare.

Starting January 1, 2020, Russia will chair BRICS.

Russia lays wreath at Wall of Names

13 December 2019

The inscriptions with the names of 67 Soviet military specialists who sacrificed their lives to assist the liberation struggle in Southern Africa were unveiled last year at Freedom Park.

Speaking at the annual commemoration on 13 December 2019, Mr. Ilya Rogachev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Africa said that the Soviet people provided multifaceted support to many African liberation movements, including the anti-apartheid one. “Military expertise, financial aid, personnel training, consistent and continuing support in the international arena – these are just some of the aspects of this substantial assistance.”  

Kazakh President Tokaev introduces reforms

2 January 2020

Political transformation will make Kazakhstan a success story. Political reforms will ignite progress in economic reforms this, according to President Tokaev as he met with the National Council of Public Trust in Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), the Kazakh capital on December 20.

The Council, created by President Tokaev in July is entrusted with facilitating the reforms through interactions and discussions with the general public, political parties, civil society and business. Composed of 44 public figures the Council is representative of the broader Kazakh demographic.

‘Different Opinions, One Nation’ said the President as he introduced new measures that guarantee the fundamental rights and freedoms to all its citizens. These measures will deepen the public discourse allowing for debate and open engagement on issues that affect all Kazakhs.

New Foreign Policy Agenda:  Resetting the Aid policy beyond 21st Century

By Srimal Fernando and  Saber Salem

1 January 2020

Recognising the new global realities in a changing landscape in the international arena, global superpowers and emerging powers would require refashioning its foreign policies to protect their long-term interests. In the past, military might was the sole instrument that states used to colonise weaker nations.  Besides trade and defense cooperation, aid diplomacy has been hailed as an effective foreign policy tool, which can effectively promote state interests and sphere of influence.

From an analytical standpoint, the richest countries in the world granted over US$ 3.98 trillion in foreign aid to developing nations from 1962 to 2012 ( OECD 2019).  Aid, trade, investment, and governance through democracy have been valued core traits of the United States and Western foreign policy priorities. In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the US initiated its foreign aid policy to rebuild the war-shattered Western Europe and Japan.

Foreign Policy: “Revitalized Africa” to reset Africa and Sri Lanka diplomacy

By Srimal Fernando

24 December 2019

The next great change in Sri Lanka’s relations with African nations is within sight. The new foreign policy Revitalized Africa seeks to enhance Sri Lanka’s cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres across Africa.  The “Revitalized Africa” foreign policy aims to optimize the strategic linkages and cooperation through the 54 member-African Union (AU), where Sri Lanka received Observer Status in 2014.

Revitalized Africa Policy’ was prepared by the Sri Lankan Foreign Relations Ministry in consultation with line agencies. On 11 December 2019 further attempts were made to draw attention to the “Revitalized Africa” foreign policy initiative during the inaugural session of the Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Egypt held at the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs in Cairo. 

Kazakhstan Independence Day December 16

In Kazakhstan, like in many other nations around the globe, Independence Day is commemorated by conferring awards, national orders and medals on those that have made exemplary contributions to statehood. On December 16, 1991 the Constitutional Independence Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan was passed making Kazakhstan the last of the Soviets to leave the Union and declare sovereignty.

Many other milestones followed this historic date for the Kazakh people, including membership of the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1992 and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1994. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the closing of the world’s second largest Nuclear Test Site at Semipalatinsk by the historic decree of Nursultan Nazarbayev, First President of Kazakhstan, which paved the way for the adoption in 1996 of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty - CTBT. The country was declared a nuclear weapon free country.

Located strategically in the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan shares a 6800km border with Russia and a 1700km border with China. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan are the other three regional neighbours. Kazakhstan is considered a landlocked country but adjoins a large part of the Caspian Sea in the west.

Dinesh Gunawardena takes over as Sri Lanka’s new Minister of Foreign Relations

By Srimal Fernando

9 December 2019

The newly-elected Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Dinesh Gunawardena as the Minister of Foreign Relations after his Presidential election in 2019.  In addition to Foreign Affairs, Dinesh Gunawardena was also appointed as the Minister of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations. The new foreign minister Gunawardena hails from a well-known political family in Sri Lanka. His father, Philip Gunawardena, is a famous national hero known as 'the Father of Socialism'. Gunawardena is a graduate from the University of Oregon in the US and entered politics in 1974. In 1983, as the general-secretary of Mahajana Eksath Peramuna’s (MEP) he entered Parliament in a by-election held in Maharagma.  He is well-known as a long-standing parliamentarian and has served as a minister several times since the mid 90s.

Making Swedish slow fashion and sustainability envogue  

4 December 2019

Celebrated Swedish Costume designer Nina Sandström showcased new work at the ground-breaking arts and fashion festival Arte Botanica at Nirox Sculpture Park this past November.

Manthe Ribane, artistic director for Arte Botanica talks about the initiative:
“It’s about nature being the catalyst for synthesizing and recognising the exuberance of diversity in the arts – in particular giving fashion its place amongst the arts, beyond its commodification at the hands of profits.
In future we will look to address more about sustainability in the way we live and enjoy nature.  It’s not a question of science or human preservation for future generations. That’s how it is usually presented, but for us its more about living in nature because we are a part of it, not its master and not something separate from it. Humans over-estimate themselves.  We will also want to introduce poetry, the spoken word and literature as an integral part of fashion, music and the way Africans enjoy life.”

France invites 1,000 African entrepreneurs to 2020 Africa-France Summit in Bordeaux

On 18 November 2019, Secretary General of the Africa-France 2020 Summit H.E. Ambassador Stéphanie Rivoal, announced in Pretoria that France, with Digital Africa, will be supporting 1,000 African entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to participate in the Summit to be held in Bordeaux, France, 4-6 June 2020.

Photo: Mr Aurélien Lechevallier, Ambassador of France in South Africa hosted a cocktail to launch the upcoming 28th Africa France Summit on Sustainable cities. He is pictured with Ambassador Stéphanie Rivoal, SG of the Summit and Mr. Ebrahim Patel, Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry of SA

During the Summit, the French President, H.E. Mr Emmanuel Macron, will welcome leaders and stakeholders from across Africa, at a time when the continent is facing unprecedented population growth in cities.