INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BY JESSIE TAYLOR
Shaping South Africa's future through diplomatic relations ZOOMING IN ON DIRCO The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) promotes South Africa's national interests and values within the international community.
advises the government on policy and other domestic matters while providing a link to home for South Africans travelling, working or living in other countries through its almost 300 representatives abroad.
DIRCO, under the leadership of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, is mandated to carry out bilateral and multilateral interactions to promote the country's foreign policy objectives. Minister Pandor's role is to champion the government's vision for South Africa's international relations and Africa's role on the global stage.
A VOICE FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD As South Africa's diplomatic representative, much of Minister Pandor's role lies in speaking for the county during international conventions and negotiations. She recently led the South Africa delegation at the G20 summit in Rome, Italy, when President Cyril Ramaphosa was unable to attend due to commitments on home soil in the run-up to the local government elections.
As South Africa's top diplomat, Minister Pandor often represents the country at key meetings to negotiate South Africa's position and promote the nation's interests and values. But DIRCO's role goes beyond just diplomacy – the department also monitors international developments and
While at the summit, Minister Pandor engaged with other leaders on the topics of access to vaccines, free security debt, and support for women's empowerment. The G20 grouping is an important political
64 | Public Sector Leaders | December • January 2022
structure, formed in 1999 between nations that make up 85% of the world's GDP, 80% of world trade and two-thirds of the world's population. The G20 has worked towards improving economic and financial transparency, as well as strengthening financial systems. South Africa is the only African member of the G20 and has become a significant voice for the continent during negotiations.
Acting as a voice for the continent has become critical during the pandemic. According to UNICEF, G20 countries have received 15 times more Covid-19 vaccine doses per capita than countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This figure
