South African Foreign Minister visits Bangladesh

Dhaka, 21 November (TDI): South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, DR. Naledi Pandor visited Bangladesh.

Dr. Naledi held a meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart Minister Abdul Momen, in Dhaka. The two counterparts discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. He emphasized the potentials of the African and Bangladeshi markets to strengthen the cooperation between the two states.

Minister Pandor also visited the Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies (BISS). She gave a speech as a keynote speaker on SA-Bangladesh Relations. Likewise, she commemorated the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh and the centenary birth of Bangladesh’s Father of Nation Sheikh Mujib Ur Rahman.

PHOTOS | Minister Pandor and her Bangladesh counterpart, Minister Abdul Momen, in a #bilateralmeeting in Dhaka Bangladesh. 18/11/2021#SABangladeshRelations

Photos: Yandisa Monakali (DIRCO) @UbuntuRadioZA @BDMOFA @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/TW5BkfSNL1

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) November 18, 2021

Earlier, Dr. Naledi Pandor attended the 23^rd Council of Ministers (COM) meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The meeting was held for two days i.e. 15 to 16 November in Bangladesh.

IORA is a dynamic Intergovernmental Organizations, aims to strengthen sustainable development and regional cooperation in Indian Ocean Region. It shares 23 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners. Russia has joined as a 10^th dialogue partner in the 23^rd COM meeting. The focus of the IORA is on Trade & Investment, Maritime Security, Disaster Risk Mangementment, Fisheries, Blue economy, and women empowerment.

Nelson Mandela commenced relations between South Africa and Bangladesh

South African Leader and Former President Nelson Mandela inaugurated relations between Bangladesh and South Africa in 1994. The People’s Republic of South Africa & the People’s Republic of Bangladesh established formal diplomatic relations on 10 September 1994.

Furthermore, Former South African President Nelson Mandela attended Bangladesh’s Jubilee Celebration of Bangladesh’s Independence in March 1997 in Bangladesh. Moreover, they signed the Declaration of Intent (DOI) to explore possible areas of cooperation; and to deepen and expand economic and political cooperation between the two countries.

Bangladesh and South Africa share cordial relations. The two countries have structured bilateral mechanisms in the form of a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM). Meetings between the two states take place on a rotational and regular basis.