Category: Uncategorized

11 August 2022

Dubai has received over 7.12 million international overnight visitors in the first six months of this year. Tourist numbers are now closing in on pre-pandemic levels, with a growth of more than 183 per cent year on year in the first half of 2022.

Between January and June last year, a little over 2.5 million tourists had visited Dubai.

The number of tourists recorded in H1 2022 is close to the numbers achieved in the first six months of 2019: 8.36 million tourists. The emirate’s ability to quickly return to near pre-pandemic tourism levels is “even more remarkable, given the impact of unprecedented challenges and other macroeconomic factors on the global economy and tourism sector”, the Government of Dubai Media Office said.

Data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism revealed that hotel occupancy has reached 74 per cent in H1 2022 — one of the highest in the world.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, said: “The rapid rise in international tourist arrivals puts Dubai on track to achieve its ambitious target of becoming the world’s most visited destination. In the years ahead, Dubai will continue to develop itself further as a destination that offers compelling value to international travellers.”

He hailed the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the city of the future and the world’s best place to live, work and invest in Source markets, khaleejtimes report.

#uae #dubai #hhshkmohd #hamdanbinmohammed #fazza #faz3 #news #xclusivenews

10 August 2022

The United States grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, supported the “Taiwan independence” forces and deliberately sabotaged peace across the Taiwan Straits, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday, pointing out the three mistakes the U.S. had made by allowing U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to visit China’s Taiwan region.

“The U.S., in disregard of China’s repeated notifications and warnings, was bent on arranging for the so-called visit of the number three figure in the U.S. government to China’s Taiwan region,” said Wang, who was on a visit to Bangladesh.

It must be understood that Taiwan is not a part of the United States, but a part of Chinese territory, and the U.S. side has made a public commitment about this, said Wang, adding that the U.S. side’s action is therefore a serious infringement on China’s sovereignty.

Read more:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-08-07/Wang-Yi-says-the-U-S-made-three-mistakes-in-Pelosi-s-visit-to-Taiwan-1cjlLIi3MLm/index.html

10 August 2022

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine wishes to congratulate the people of Ecuador on the anniversary of National day. Wishing the Government & the people of Ecuador continued unity, peace & prosperity

The national day is celebrated on 10 August. In Spanish, it is known as ‘Día del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito’ and marks Quito’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1809. It is Ecuador’s National Day.

Spanish colonisation of Ecuador began in the middle of the sixteenth century and in 1563 Quito, the modern-day capital city of Ecuador,  became an administrative region of Spain. Ecuador is Spanish for the equator, which neatly describes Ecuador’s place on the globe.

After nearly three hundred years of Spanish rule, the citizens of Quito were the first in Latin America to rebel and declare independence on 10 August 1809. They were led by Juan Pío Montúfar, Quiroga, Salinas, and Bishop Cuero y Caicedo. Quito’s nickname, “Luz de América” (Light of America), is based on its leading role in trying to secure an independent, local government.

This independence was short-lived and was suppressed by the Spanish in 24 days. However, the efforts of this small city were seen as a key milestone in the movement across Central and South America that would eventually lead to independence from Europe.

In Ecuador, on 9 October 1820, Guayaquil became the first city to gain its independence from Spain. This event is now celebrated with its own national holiday. The rest of Ecuador celebrated independence following victory at the Battle of Pichincha under the command of Simón Bolívar, on 24 May 1822.

South Africa and Ecuador Relations

Following an official visit by the South African Ambassador accredited to Santiago in November 1993, South Africa established diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 1994- 09- 22.

Exports fall chiefly into the category of base metals. Imports fall chiefly into the categories of machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment, and chemicals.

10 August 2022

President of African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has announced the readiness of afDB to embark on a mission to reach out to 20 million farmers in Africa with staple crops seed and climate adapted certified wheat.

The goal of the project is to help increase food security in Africa through African Emergency Food Production Facility, a unit of AfDB. It  is expected to yield an output of 38 million tonnes of food in the continent – a 30 percent increment of food produced locally.

Mr. Adesina stated that “The African Development Bank realized the strategic need to tackle the devastating impact of the war on Africa’s food security…;it is important to prevent unrest and even more human suffering.”

One of the project’s objectives is to make Africa’s agricultural sector attractive, which would eventually lead to a global investment instead of the continent losing its dignity.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war started, the price of wheat has increased tremendously thus pushing up prices of other food items such as bread.

By Onyinye Ubah – EYEGAMBIA

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine wishes to congratulate the Government and the people of Singapore on the occasion of 57th anniversary of the National day. Wishing the Government & the people of Singapore continued unity, peace & prosperity

Singapore National Day is a federal holiday that is observed in Singapore on August 9 of every year. The day is set aside to commemorate Singapore’s independence from Malaysia which took place in the year 1965.

It is a special day when citizens of the country come together to appreciate and celebrate their independence. In 1963, a merger caused Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore, and the Federation of Malaya to become the Federation of Malaysia, in which Singapore was included. This was because Singapore being without natural resources needed Malaysia for a bigger market reach and job opportunities.

Later in 1965, due to some political and civil unrest, Singapore gained its independence from Malaysia. Singapore’s independence is remembered and celebrated yearly with exciting activities.

For instance, the Singapore National Day parade usually takes place in Marina Bay, the National Stadium, or the Padang. The parade usually includes officers of the Armed Forces, Police Force, Civil Defense Force, and some representatives of political parties.

The Singapore National Day Message has been recorded by the Prime minister of Singapore every year since 1966. The message covers domestic and global developments, economic performance and outlook, and national priorities and government plans.

After the address, the beautiful display of fireworks can then be enjoyed alongside the festivities, where there are choir performances, performances from school bands, and other fun presentations that can be enjoyed.

Today Singapore celebrated National Day with a parade at the Marina Bay floating platform – a roaring return to live performances on a grand scale after two years of pandemic restrictions.

South Africa and Singapore Relations:-

South Africa and the Republic of Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1992, when embassies were opened in Singapore and Pretoria. When South Africa re-entered the Commonwealth in 1994, the embassies became High Commissions.

Singapore and South Africa have a structured bilateral mechanics called Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) to optimise existing cooperation which takes place annually.

The last official visit was in 2019 when the Singapore Minister of State, Dr Maliki Bin Osman, and Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini, met on 5 September 2019, at the WEF in Cape Town and reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. Singapore pledged to a continued support to South Africa’s skills development and other areas of technical cooperation.

The total value of trade between South Africa and Singapore in 2020 was R 14.4 billion with exports at R 8.3 billion and the imports at R6 billion.

Singapore’s main imports from South Africa include organic chemicals, petroleum & products, iron & steel, non-ferrous metals, metal manufactures, vegetables & fruit, inorganic chemicals, metallic ores & scrap and paper manufactures. Singapore’s main exports to South Africa include telecommunications apparatus, electrical machinery, office & data machines, manufactured articles, general industrial machinery, plastics, crude rubber, textile manufactures, coffee and spices.

#SingaporeSARelations

#SingaporeNationalDay

9 August 2022

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA Wishes All Women In South Africa, A Happy Women’s Day.

Every year, in August, our country marks Womens Month, where we pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women from all backgrounds and cultures who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

From our Moms to World Leaders, Inspirational women are everywhere around us.

Let us also remember our country’s brave women who marched for freedom from oppression.

May we never forget the heroines that laboured this freedom that we enjoy. May we at all times try to emulate their spirit. ✊🏿

Wathint’ Abafazi Wathint’ Imbokodo!

Without Women the world is incomplete,

Without Women the heart feels empty, Let the world blossom with your smile

HAPPY WOMENS DAY!

9 August 2022

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Pretoria with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen the enduring ties between our countries and advance shared global priorities through the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue.

The Secretary noted that South Africa — as a leading global voice, a strong constitutional democracy, a G-20 member, and a scientific, cultural, and tech leader — is essential to global progress on COVID-19, climate, global health, democracy, and regional security.

The Secretary thanked President Ramaphosa for hosting him and his delegation in South Africa and emphasized that the United States is committed to continuing this robust, dynamic, and mutually beneficial partnership.

Blinken also paid tribute to South Africa’s Women’s Day holiday, marking the day in 1956 when women of all races marched to the capital, Pretoria, to protest apartheid, the country’s regime of oppression of the Black majority which did not end until 1994.

Blinken attended a Women’s Day event at the South African Medical Research Council in Pretoria. The U.S. top diplomat then took off on a flight to Congo, the next stop on his three-nation tour of Africa.

Photos Credit Dirco

8 August 2022

Happy 55th Anniversary of ASEAN Day (8/8/1967 – 8/8/2022) for a better & prosperous region, contributing to a stable & peaceful world. Since its establishment on 8 August 1967, ASEAN has played a pivotal role in the region.

ASEAN has emerged as a political and economic powerhouse, with a combined population of 670 million people, and a combined GDP of 3.2 trillion US Dollars.

On 8 August 1967, five leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – sat down together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a document.

By virtue of that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was born. The five Foreign Ministers who signed it – Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R. Ramos of the Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand – would subsequently be hailed as the Founding Fathers of probably the most successful inter-governmental organization in the developing world today. And the document that they signed would be known as the ASEAN Declaration.

It was a short, simply-worded document containing just five articles. It declared the establishment of an Association for Regional Cooperation among the Countries of Southeast Asia to be known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and spelled out the aims and purposes of that Association.

These aims and purposes were about cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields, and in the promotion of regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. It stipulated that the Association would be open for participation by all States in the Southeast Asian region subscribing to its aims, principles and purposes. It proclaimed ASEAN as representing “the collective will of the nations of Southeast Asia to bind themselves together in friendship and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their peoples and for posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity.”

#AseanDay

#55thAnniversaryofASEANDay

8 August 2022

Sunday, 07 August 2022,  the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Mr Antony Blinken, arrived at Lanseria airport,  in South Africa  ahead of the occasion of the South Africa – United States Strategic Dialogue to be hosted by Minister Naledi Pandor.

Secretary Blinken met with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor South Africa–United States Strategic Dialogue. Pretoria, South Africa
Secretary Blinken launched the U.S. Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa and lead the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue.”

The United States is South Africa’s third largest trading partner with more than 600 United States companies operating within our borders. United States foreign direct investment (FDI) in South Africa was valued at $7.8 billion (ZAR 116 billion) in 2019, a 6.8% increase from 2018. United States direct investment in South Africa is led by manufacturing, finance, insurance and wholesale trade. South Africa’s FDI in the United States was valued at $4.1 billion in 2019 (ZAR 59 billion), up 1.2% from 2018.
#USAInSA🇺🇸🇿🇦

In her Opening Remarks by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, at the occasion of the hosting of the South Africa – United States Strategic Dialogue,  Minister Pandor said:I am pleased to welcome you and your delegation to our beautiful country and to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

We have discussed a possible visit several times and I am very happy that we have achieved our agreed objective.

I also wish to welcome Ambassador-designate Reuben Brigety. I am glad that you are able to observe this meeting and visit. I hope our deliberations today will set the tone for your tenure in South Africa. I wish you a productive and enjoyable term as USA ambassador to South Africa. I hope you will contribute to strengthening the already strong links between South Africa and the USA.

Mr Secretary, the United States is one of South Africa’s most valued partners. I appreciate the commitment you have shown to expanding our bilateral relations. The bonds that were forged between the United States and South Africa during the struggle for democracy and racial justice in this country, are enduring and created a firm foundation for advancing people-to-people cooperation between the two countries, including in the spheres of education, cultural and tourism exchanges.

We have established many positive initiatives since 1994. Our areas of co-operation include trade and investment, technology transfer, education, health, environment, safety and security, institution-building and many other areas. South Africa continues to be confronted by deep challenges linked to our apartheid history. They centre on three elements: inequality, poverty and unemployment. These are challenges we must address to avoid social strife.

Through the generous support of the USA Government and people, we have been able to make progress in addressing many of the socio-economic challenges faced by the majority in this country, be it in providing access to equal and quality education, decent housing or basic healthcare services to the most vulnerable in society. Our bilateral cooperation is broad and deep and aligned to South Africa’s national priorities. We are determined and working hard, however, to set our economy on a new trajectory of growth and development to satisfy the yearning of our people for a better life.

I am pleased at our scientific co-operation at the SKA site in Carnarvon in the Northern Cape, where the USA has an important astronomy research initiative.

What stands out in particular in our journey was the timely and significant support given to South Africa and the region to address the original pandemic of HIV/AIDS through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This was indeed a game changer as it set the pace for the way we bilaterally, as Government and civil society, came together to turn around the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS scourge which threatened to derail our progress and set us back. Co-operation in HIV vaccine development stands out as our most significant medical sciences research initiative with Professors Glenda Gray and Olive Shisana achieving outstanding results.

It is clear Mr Secretary that the US Government makes a significant contribution to our own efforts, as outlined in the National Development Plan, to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. South Africa is the largest US trade partner in Africa. The significant presence of US companies operating within our borders, including historic investors such as General Electric and Ford, to name but two, in helping to upskill our youth, creating jobs and incomes, has made the US private sector a key partner in supporting South Africa’s socio-economic growth.

More recently, the tremendous support shown by US companies for President Ramaphosa’s investment drive has demonstrated the belief that the US still has in the future of our country and the value proposition that we offer as a key investment destination and trade partner, despite the setback of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We welcome the positive growth in two-way trade in goods from $13.9 billion in 2010 to $21 billion in 2021. In 2021 the US ranked as the 2nd largest destination for South Africa’s exports globally. South African firms have also become significant foreign investors. Investments from South Africa into the US are on the increase, with the US accounting for 17.4% of total South African outward FDI to the world (dtic). There is, however, much more we can – and should do. As was discussed earlier this year at the meeting of the 12th Annual Bilateral Forum (ABF), our objective should be to significantly expand two-way trade and investment that will contribute to the shared growth and prosperity for the people of South Africa and the US. A good start in this endeavour would be to speedily resolve the longstanding unresolved trade issues around market access, including the removal of Section 232 tariffs on South African steel and aluminium imports into the US.

South Africa is proud to count on the US Government and private sector as partners in our efforts directed at post-pandemic economic recovery. The President and his economic team, as we will hear later during our deliberations, have been hard at work making it easier for foreign investors to invest in our country and to advance our trade and investment relations for mutual benefit. The support we received and continue to receive from the United States to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and your country’s support for the WTO TRIPS Waiver to enable South Africa and Africa to produce vaccines locally, is a tangible demonstration of the international solidary needed to overcome the global challenges of our time. We thank President Biden for understanding this imperative and for his efforts to make Africa an equal partner in the global community’s plans to address the most pressing challenges of our time.

Secretary Blinken,

The world is going through an extraordinarily difficult period. Many countries are having to contend with high costs for fuel, food and transport, which are basic necessities. The current global economic environment, which is marked by rising inequality, conflict, unequal technological advances and environmental degradation brought about by climate change, has huge implications for food security and agricultural systems, especially in Africa where the pandemic has reversed the gains that have been made under the African Union’s socio-economic development blueprint, Agenda 2063, to bring about the Africa We Want.

The present moment, which has given rise to widespread uncertainty and fear, requires us as leaders to come together and chart a way forward that will give hope and inspiration to our respective peoples. We must ensure that the undertakings made at the United Nations, the G7 and G20 to address food insecurity, global health, peace and security, sustainable and just energy transition, as well as human security are meaningfully addressed. We must continuously reinforce our common commitment to multilateralism, democracy and human rights – and use the proven tools of diplomacy, peace-building dialogue and mediation to resolve conflict and end the intolerable and unnecessary human suffering as a result of wars and other forms of conflict. Together we must identify paths to greater prosperity and human-centred development that improve local communities’ self-reliance, social justice, and participatory decision-making. South Africa is keen to be a partner in this endeavour, informed by our own experiences and foreign policy principles which are premised on the Diplomacy of Ubuntu: “I am because you are”. We also hope that more of us are persuaded that reform of the UN especially the UNSC is urgently necessary.

Mr Secretary,

I believe the importance of our strategic partnership, which is based on common values and aspirations to build peace and prosperity for our respective peoples, is the foundation for the strengthening of our bilateral relationship and to create the conditions for our democracies to thrive. Our gathering here today for the Strategic Dialogue, after an absence of almost seven years, and the arrival of Ambassador Brigety, presents an opportunity for us to re-invigorate our bilateral relations on many different fronts. We should place the issue of economic recovery front and centre of our agenda.

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the convening of the AGOA Forum in South Africa next year present both our Governments, private sectors and civil society with numerous opportunities to advance our trade and investment relations. South Africa’s diverse industrial and service base, highly developed and well-capitalised banking and financial sector, and modern logistics infrastructure positions us ideally as the gateway to Africa.

As part of the President’s plan for sustainable economic recovery, a significant portion of planned funding will be allocated to infrastructure works that prioritise environmental protection, from rail transport to modern energy production plants. I would like to emphasise also that in our recovery journey, we should ensure that that we do not leave behind women, youth and the disabled.

I am excited by the continued support that President Biden is giving to the Mandela-Washington Fellowship through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and the good work that is being done by the US-SA Higher Education Network, as well as the support for our Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions which have partnered with the Community Colleges in the US. We also acknowledge the support for training and capacity building for our law enforcement, defence and security agencies, including for the fight against wildlife trafficking.

In conclusion, I wish to convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to your Embassy in Pretoria, under the able leadership of both Mr Todd Haskell and Ms Heather Merritt, who have worked very hard to support our efforts against COVID-19 and to ensure that we remain focussed on our common goal to maintain and strengthen our bilateral cooperation during a challenging period. I look forward to our discussions this morning, including during our luncheon later today. It is only through open and frank dialogue, including on matters where we may not share similar views, that we can understand each other’s positions, dispel misunderstandings, enhance our trust and find solutions that will benefit both our countries and peoples.

We look forward to participating in the US – Africa Leaders Summit to be hosted by President Biden in December. I also look forward, Secretary Blinken, to your announcement this afternoon of the Africa Strategy and wish to thank you for choosing South Africa to make this important announcement.

Welcome again to South Africa. Your visit may be short, but I am certain it will be productive, and we look forward to seeing you again in our beautiful country in the future.

I now invite you, Secretary Blinken, to make your opening remarks.

Thank You.
#USAInSA🇺🇸🇿🇦
#USAInRSA
#SAUSARelations🇿🇦🇺🇸

Photos: Credit Dirco

6 August 2022

Congratulations to the Springboks on a victorious start to the Rugby Championship with a win over All Blacks.

The Springboks kicked off their 2022 Rugby Championship with an emphatic 26-10 victory against New Zealand’s All Blacks at Mbombela stadium this evening.

A converted try by Kurt Arendse in the first half, and a penalty by Handre Pollard, made life easy for the Springboks against the All Blacks.

The Boks dominated the proceeding throughout the opening half and were enjoying a 10-3 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Boks continued from where they had left off.

The All Blacks scored a try in the dying minutes of the match, but Willie le Roux replied with a Springboks try as South Africa enjoyed an emphatic 26-10 win against their old nemesis.

South Africa 26-10 New Zealand: All Blacks lose Rugby Championship opener; lose three in a row for first time since 1998Kurt-Lee Arendse and Willie le Roux score tries, with Handre Pollard adding three penalties and a drop-goal as the Springboks registered their biggest win over the All Blacks for 94 years; New Zealand lose third Test in a row (Ireland, Ireland, South Africa) for first time since 1998

Go Bokke! #RSAvNZL   #AllBlacks.  #RSAvNZL