Welcome to the Department of International Relations & Cooperation

Input by Hon. Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Debate on the Budget Vote of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Parliament, Cape Town, 11 July 2024

Input by Hon. Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Debate on the Budget Vote of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Parliament, Cape Town, 11 July 2024 Honourable Deputy Speaker, Ms Lotriet, Minister Lamola, Honourable Members of the Portfolio Committee, Director General of DIRCO and members of the South African Foreign Service, Ladies and gentlemen, Karl

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Address by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the CPUT Africa Day Commemoration held on 27 May 2024, at the CPUT Hotel School in Granger Bay, Cape Town

Address by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, at the CPUT Africa Day Commemoration held on 27 May 2024, at the CPUT Hotel School in Granger Bay, Cape Town   Professor Chris Nhlapo, Vice Chancellor and Principal, Consul Esther Mudambo, Consul General of Zimbabwe in Cape Town, Consul Selma Nghinamundova, Consul General of Namibia in Cape Town, Consul Elsa Caposso Vicente,

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Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the Sixth Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent International Humanitarian Law Conference, 15 April 2024

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the Sixth Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent International Humanitarian Law Conference, 15 April 2024   Dr Nils Melzer, Director of International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy, ICRC Geneva, Mr Jules Amoti, Head of Regional Delegation, ICRC Pretoria, Mr Takalo Molefi, CEO, South African Red Cross Society, Mr Michael Meyer, Head of International Law, British Red Cross,

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Speech by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes on the Second Free State Investment Forum, 27 February 2024

Speech by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes on the Second Free State Investment Forum, 27 February 2024   Programme Director, MEC Meeko, Premier of the Free State, Honourable Mxolisi Dukwana, Minister of Electricity, Dr Ramokgopa, Deputy Minister Kekana, Presidency, Deputy Minister Gina, DTIC, Deputy Minister Tshabalala, Water and Sanitation, Members of the Executive Council, Mangaung Executive Mayor Councillor Nthatsisi, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Elected Representatives:

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Speech delivered by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, HE Mr Alvin Botes, on the occasion of the Validation Meeting of the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 6 September 2023

Speech delivered by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, HE Mr Alvin Botes, on the occasion of the Validation Meeting of the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 6 September 2023   Your Excellency, Ms Patience Zanelie Chiradza, Director of Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate, President of the Executive Committee

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Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Alvin Botes, on the occasion of the Ministerial General Debate of the Ministerial Meeting of the CoB on the Theme: NAM: United and Steadfast in confronting Emerging Challenges, 6 July 2023

Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Alvin Botes, on the occasion of the Ministerial General Debate of the Ministerial Meeting of the CoB on the Theme: NAM: United and Steadfast in confronting Emerging Challenges, 6 July 2023   Chairperson, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,   I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Government

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Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Alvin Botes on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Committee on Palestine, Baku, Azerbaijan, 5 July 2023

Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Alvin Botes on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Committee on Palestine, Baku, Azerbaijan, 5 July 2023   Chairperson, Your Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,   South Africa remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Palestine caused by Israel’s continued aggression and occupation. The demolitions of Palestinians properties,

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Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the 21st Annual Regional Seminar on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law: 22 – 25 November 2022

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the 21st Annual Regional Seminar on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law: 22 – 25 November 2022   Theme – International Humanitarian Law: An African Perspective on Contemporary Global Challenges”, 22 November 2022   Distinguished Co-Chairs, Mr Amoti, the Head of the Regional Delegation, ICRC Pretoria, Ambassador Gladys Mokhawa, Honourable delegates from the region, Members of the

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Keynote Address by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, at the South Africa Trade and Investment Seminar in Porto, 27 June 2022

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, at the South Africa Trade and Investment Seminar in Porto, 27 June 2022   “South Africa: Economic Recovery Post-COVID”   Programme Director, Mr Paulo Ramalho, City Councillor for Economic Competitiveness, Ambassador Mmamokoena Gaoretelelwe, Head of the South Africa Embassy in Lisbon, Mr António Silva Tiago, Mayor of the Municipality of Maia, Mr

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Statement by Mr Alvin Botes Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa to the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 21 June 2022, Vienna, Austria

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa to the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 21 June 2022, Vienna, Austria   Thank you, Mr President, for the opportunity to address this august gathering. It has indeed been a long journey and now we are finally here, working on the implementation

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Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, at the Parliament of South Africa: National Assembly, on the 20th anniversary of the African Union in 20 Years, (hybrid), 25 May 2022

Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, at the Parliament of South Africa: National Assembly, on the 20th anniversary of the African Union in 20 Years, (hybrid), 25 May 2022   Speaker of the National Assembly, President Ramaphosa, Deputy President Mabuza, Cabinet Ministers, Fellow Members of South African Parliament, Chief of the Majority Party, Honourable Majodina, Members of the Arab Maghreb Union, Members of the Common

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International Relations and Cooperation, Budget Vote Speech, Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, 12 May 2022

International Relations and Cooperation, Budget Vote Speech, Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, 12 May 2022   Honourable Mahumapelo, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Minister of DIRCO, Dr Pandor, Honourable Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini Honourable Members,   This speech is dedicated to the foresight and fortitude of one of the penholders of the South African Freedom Charter, Professor ZK Matthews.   South

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Closing Remarks by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, on the conclusion of the Second South Africa – Ireland JCC, 22 February 2022

Closing Remarks by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, on the conclusion of the Second South Africa – Ireland JCC, 22 February 2022   Your Excellency,   I thank you for the fruitful and frank deliberations today. We have come to the formal conclusion of the Second Session of the South Africa-Ireland JCC and exchanged views on a

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Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the 45th Annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Member States of the Group of 77, 30 November 2021

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the 45th Annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Member States of the Group of 77, 30 November 2021   Programme Director, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guinea, and Chairperson of Member States of the Group of 77, Your Excellency, Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General

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Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to Mark the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, 12 October 2021

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to Mark the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, 12 October 2021   HE Mr Aleksander Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia and co-host of this commemorative meeting, HE Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement,

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Deputy Minister Alvin Botes Debate on the Presidency Budget Vote, Parliament, Cape Town, 2 June 2021

Deputy Minister Alvin Botes Debate on the Presidency Budget Vote, Parliament, Cape Town, 2 June 2021   Advancing the African agenda and seeking a Better World   House Chair, President Ramaphosa, Deputy President Mabuza, Honourable Members,   On this 2nd day of Youth month this speech is dedicated to the memory of my former colleague and youthful firebrand, the late Deputy Minister of Minerals and

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Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 20 May 2021

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on the occasion of the Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 20 May 2021   House Chair Minister of DIRCO, Dr Pandor Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini Chair of the Portfolio Committee, Honourable Mahambehlala Honourable Members Diplomatic Community Ladies and gentlemen   The values that inspire and guide South Africa

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Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the Symposium focusing on the role South Africa plays in fostering multilateralism in Africa and the rest of the world on Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes at the Symposium focusing on the role South Africa plays in fostering multilateralism in Africa and the rest of the world on Wednesday, 12 May 2021   Professor Sibongile Muthwa, Vice Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University, Professor Thandi MGWEBI, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Mkize, Discussion facilitator, Professor MASEKO, Dean of Humanities, Dr Sithembile

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Statement by HE Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the virtual commemoration of the entry into force, of the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 22 January 2021

Statement by HE Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the virtual commemoration of the entry into force, of the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 22 January 2021   Chairperson, Excellences, and Distinguished participants, Ladies and Gentlemen,   It is my honour and great pleasure to address you today on this momentous occasion and to, on behalf of the Government and the People of the Republic

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Opening Remarks by Deputy Minister Botes on the occasion of the Virtual Meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Portugal, 01 December 2020

Opening Remarks by Deputy Minister Botes on the occasion of the Virtual Meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Portugal, 01 December 2020 Your Excellency, the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Portugal, Ms Teresa Ribeiro, The Ambassador of Portugal to South Africa, Ambassador Carvalho, Distinguished Members of the South African

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Remarks by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, 30 November 2020

Remarks by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, 30 November 2020 Programme Director, Your Excellency, Ambassador Hanan Jarrar, Your Excellency, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Bene M’Poko, Your Excellency, Dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Mubarak

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Statement delivered by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, during the UN Security Council High-Level Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Contemporary Drivers of Conflict and Insecurity, 3 November 2020

Statement delivered by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, during the UN Security Council High-Level Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Contemporary Drivers of Conflict and Insecurity, 3 November 2020 Mr President and Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Your Excellency Ralph Gonsalves, thank you for convening this meeting. Your Excellencies, Ms Amina

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Intervention by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on Item 2: The Commonwealth Response to Global Challenges on the occasion of the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Meeting, 14 October 2020

Intervention by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on Item 2: The Commonwealth Response to Global Challenges on the occasion of the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Meeting, 14 October 2020 Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Developmental Affairs of the United Kingdom, Mr Dominic Raab, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, Foreign Affairs Ministers, High Commissioners and Distinguished Guests,

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Statement by HE Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM on the sidelines of UNGA75 under the theme: “Bandung+65: more relevant, united and effective NAM against emerging global challenges, including COVID-19”, 9 October 2020

Statement by HE Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM on the sidelines of UNGA75 under the theme: “Bandung+65: more relevant, united and effective NAM against emerging global challenges, including COVID-19”, 9 October 2020 Chairperson, Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government, Distinguished Delegates: I thank

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Speech delivered by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes (MP), at the handover ceremony of the United Kingdom Government donation to the Solidarity Fund on Monday, 14 September 2020

Speech delivered by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes (MP), at the handover ceremony of the United Kingdom Government donation to the Solidarity Fund on Monday, 14 September 2020 British High Commissioner, Mr Casey, Solidarity Fund Chairperson, Ms Serobe, Solidarity Fund Chief Executive, Ms Nkweni, Fellow National Executive Committee member and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Honourable Gina, Ladies and

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Statement by HE Mr A Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, during the United Nations Security Council Open Video Teleconference Meeting on the Question of Palestine, Wednesday, 24 June 2020

Statement by HE Mr A Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, during the United Nations Security Council Open Video Teleconference Meeting on the Question of Palestine, Wednesday, 24 June 2020   Mr President,   Allow me to express my gratitude to you for calling this session today. Our deliberations should by no means be seen as business as usual. In this regard, I

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Statement by HE Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, 26 February 2020

Statement by HE Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, 26 February 2020   Thank you, Mr President, for the opportunity to address this august body.   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,   During 2020 we will be commemorating a number of milestones including the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the 50th anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation

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Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the Ambassadors of the African Group of the UN Human Rights Council, 25 February 2020, Geneva

Address by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes to the Ambassadors of the African Group of the UN Human Rights Council, 25 February 2020, Geneva   Your Excellency Chair of the African Group, the Ambassador of Congo-Brazzaville, Your Excellency the Ambassador of the African Union, Your Excellency the Coordinator of the African Group, the Ambassador of Burkina Faso, Excellencies and Distinguished Representatives here present, Ladies and Gentlemen,

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Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the Panel Discussion commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women: “Accelerating the Commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, Geneva, 25 February 2020

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the Panel Discussion commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women: “Accelerating the Commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”, Geneva, 25 February 2020   Madam President,   South Africa appreciates the efforts of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in initiating this dialogue at

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South African Statement on the High-Level Mainstreaming Panel under the theme “Thirty Years of Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Challenges and Opportunities”, HRC43, Geneva, 24 February 2020

South African Statement on the High-Level Mainstreaming Panel under the theme “Thirty Years of Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Challenges and Opportunities”, HRC43, Geneva, 24 February 2020   Mr President,   In 2019, South Africa joined other member states in various commemorative events in New York and Geneva celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the

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Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the High-Level Panel National Statement during the 43rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, 24 February 2020

Statement by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes during the High-Level Panel National Statement during the 43rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, 24 February 2020   Madam President, The President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Michelle Bachelet, Honourable Ministers and

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Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial General Debate of the 18th Non-Aligned Movement Summit themed: “NAM Baku Summit: Upholding the Bandung Principals to ensure concerted and adequate Response to the Challenges of the Contemporary World,” 23 October 2019

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial General Debate of the 18th Non-Aligned Movement Summit themed: “NAM Baku Summit: Upholding the Bandung Principals to ensure concerted and adequate Response to the Challenges of the Contemporary World,” 23 October 2019   Chairperson Your Excellencies Distinguished Delegates   I would like to start

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Statement by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Alvin Botes of South Africa, on behalf of the Africa Group on the occasion of the Closing Ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of the CoB of the NAM, 21 July 2019, Caracas, Venezuela

Statement by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Alvin Botes of South Africa, on behalf of the Africa Group on the occasion of the Closing Ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of the CoB of the NAM, 21 July 2019, Caracas, Venezuela   Honourable Chairperson, Honourable Ministers, and Heads of Delegations, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,   On behalf of the Africa Group, we would like

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Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Alvin Botes on the occasion of the Special Meeting on the Defence of the Norms of the Charter of the UN and International Law, 21 July 2019

Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon. Alvin Botes on the occasion of the Special Meeting on the Defence of the Norms of the Charter of the UN and International Law, 21 July 2019   Chairperson,   Hon Ministers, Distinguished Delegates,   Let me start by taking this opportunity to thank the Hon Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for

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Statement by Mr. Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the General Debate of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) under the theme: “Promotion and consolidation of peace through respect for International Law,” Caracas, Venezuela, 20 July 2019

Statement by Mr. Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the General Debate of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) under the theme: “Promotion and consolidation of peace through respect for International Law,” Caracas, Venezuela, 20 July 2019   Chairperson, Ministers and Heads of Delegation, Distinguished Delegates,   We thank you for your kind and warm hospitality

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Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial Committee of the NAM on Palestine, Caracas, Venezuela, 20 July 2019

Statement by Mr Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, on the occasion of the Ministerial Committee of the NAM on Palestine, Caracas, Venezuela, 20 July 2019   Chairperson,   Mr Riyadh al-Maliki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Palestine,   Distinguished Members of the Committee,   We would like to thank Minister al-Maliki for his briefing on

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Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation delivered by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, Cape Town, 11 July 2019

Budget Vote Speech of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation delivered by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, Cape Town, 11 July 2019   Honourable Chairperson, Minister Dr. Pandor Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Honourable Members, Our Director General, Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, members of the Diplomatic Corps and Representatives of International Organisations, Leaders and Members of civil society Distinguished Guests, Comrades and Friends   We are

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