Question NW2682 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Reply:

South Africa is a member of the principal multilateral bodies at the global, regional and sub-regional level. These are, the United Nations, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community and the Southern African Customs Union.

(a)(i) South Africa is represented in 40 international organisations and structures.

The balance of the question is addressed in each specified organisation listed.

The United Nations

(a)(ii) There are currently 193 member states of the United Nations. These are;

Afghanistan

Albania

 Algeria

Andorra

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

Bhutan

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cabo Verde

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China

Colombia

Comoros

Congo

Costa Rica

Côte d'Ivoire

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Estonia

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Fiji

Finland

France

Gabon

Gambia (Republic of The)

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kiribati

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Micronesia (Federated States of)

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar

Namibia

Nauru

Nepal

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Palau

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Republic of Korea

Republic of Moldova

Russian Federation

Rwanda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Serbia

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Sudan

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Suriname

Sweden

Switzerland

Syrian Arab Republic

Tajikistan

Thailand

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Timor-Leste

Togo

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Republic of Tanzania

United States of America

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Vanuatu

Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of

Viet Nam

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

(a)(iii) Purpose of the United Nations.

The UN Charter describes the Purposes of the United Nations as:

1. To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;

2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;

3. To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and

4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

(b) South Africa was one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations and joined the organisation on 7 November 1945.

The African Union

(a)(ii) The African Union has 55 sovereign states that have ratified or acceded to the Constitutive Act of the African Union to become member states to the African Union (AU). The members are;

Algeria

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cabo Verde

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Congo

Côte d'Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Egypt

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia (Republic of The)

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Mauritius

Morocco

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Nigeria

Rwanda

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (not a member of the United Nations)

Sao Tome and Principe

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Togo

Tunisia

Uganda

United Republic of Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

(a)(iii) Purpose of the African Union.

The main stated purpose of the AU is to;

• To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and Africans.
• To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States.
• To accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent.
• To promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples.
• To encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent.
• To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance.
• To promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.
• To establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations.
• To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies.
• To promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African peoples.
• To coordinate and harmonize the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the Union.
• To advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields, in particular in science and technology.
• To work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent.

(b) South Africa joined the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 6 June 1994, and became a member of the African Union at its launch in Durban on 9 July 2002.

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

(a)(ii) The Southern African Development Community currently has 16 members. These are;

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of Congo

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

Eswatini

United Republic of Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

(a)(iii) Purpose of SADC.

To promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development that will ensure poverty alleviation with the ultimate objective of its eradication, enhance the standard and quality of life of the people of Southern Africa and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration.

(b) The Republic of South Africa acceded to the SADC Treaty on 29 August 1994

Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

(a)(ii) The Southern African Customs Union has 5 members. These are;

Botswana

Eswatini

Lesotho

Namibia

(a)(iii) The purpose of SACU.

To serve as an engine for regional integration and development, industrial and economic diversification, the expansion of intra-regional trade and investment, and global competitiveness.

(b) The Union of South Africa joined SACU on 29 June 1910.

United Nations Specialised Agencies

South Africa is also a member of the following United Nations Specialised Agencies. It should be noted that while South Africa is a member of these agencies, the specialised technical nature of the work undertaken by these bodies is dealt with by respective line function departments in South Africa. Individual member countries of the various institutions will not be listed individually, but the information is freely available on the web pages of the respective bodies.

(a)(ii) There are currently 16 specialised agencies. These are;

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

(a)(ii) The current membership of the FAO is 195 countries.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the FAO.

The FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), which leads international efforts to eliminate hunger with the objective of achieving food security and nutrition for all, and to ensure that people have regular access to food and nutrition. The FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has established their Sub-Regional office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(b) South Africa joined the FAO on 16 October 1945.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

(a)(ii) There are 192 ICAO members, consisting of 191 of the 193 UN members (all but Dominica, Liechtenstein), plus the Cook Islands.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the ICAO

ICAO's primary role is to provide a set of standards which will help regulate aviation across the world. It classifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation, as well as the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safety and security

(b) South Africa became a member of the ICAO in 1947, having ratified the Chicago Convention of 1944, on 1 March 1947.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

(a)(ii) There are currently 176 members of IFAD.

(a)(iii) Purpose of IFAD.

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. It was established as an international financial institution in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference.

(b) South Africa became a member of IFAD on 14 February 1997.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

(a)(ii) The ILO currently has 187 member states, all of which are members of the United Nations.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the ILO.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace. The ILO is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers representatives of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men. Today, the ILO's Decent Work agenda helps advance the economic and working conditions that give all workers, employers and governments a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress.

(b) South Africa was re-admitted as a member of the ILO on 26 May 1994. This followed a period of 30 years of isolation from international labour forums after the country withdrew from the ILO in 1964 as a result of political pressure.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

(a)(ii) As of 2018, there are 173 member states of the IMO, which includes 172 of the UN member states plus the Cook Islands.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the IMO.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a permanent international body devoted to improving safety at sea. The purposes of IMO are “to provide machinery for cooperation among Governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade; to encourage and facilitate the general adoption of the highest practicable standards in   matters concerning maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and prevention and control of marine pollution from ships”. The Organization is also empowered to deal with administrative and legal matters related to these purposes.

(b) South Africa became a full member of the IMO in February 1995 after having observer status from 1948.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

(a)(ii) The IMF currently has 189 member countries.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the IMF.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.

(b) South Africa joined the IMF on 27 December 1945.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

(a)(ii) An organization based on public-private partnership since its inception, ITU currently has a membership of 193 countries and almost 800 private-sector entities and academic institutions.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the ITU.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is an agency of the United Nations (UN) whose purpose is to coordinate telecommunication operations and services throughout the world. Originally founded in 1865, as the International Telegraph Union, the ITU is the oldest existing international organization. ITU headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.

(b) South Africa joined the ITU on 1 January 1910.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

(a)(ii) There are 193 member states in UNESCO, including that of Palestine.

(a)(iii) Purpose of UNESCO.

UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. The Organization focuses, in particular, on two global priorities: Africa and Gender equality.

(b) South Africa joined UNESCO on 12 December 1994.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

(a)(ii) The IAEA has 170 member states.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the IAEA.

The IAEA seeks to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. It ensures that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose. The IAEA has two regional offices in Toronto and Tokyo, and two liaison offices in New York City and Geneva. The IAEA runs laboratories specialized in nuclear technology in Austria and Monaco.

(b) South Africa is a founding member of the IAEA which was established in 1957.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

(a)(ii) UNIDO currently has 168 member states.

(a)(iii) Purpose of UNIDO.

The mission of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States.

(b) South Africa joined UNIDO on 24 October 2000.

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

(a)(ii) The UPU has 192 member countries.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the UPU.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. Purpose of the UPU.

(b) South Africa joined the UPU on 22 August 1994.

World Bank

(a)(ii) The World Bank has 189 members.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the World Bank (IBRD)

The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to countries of the world for capital projects. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and the International Development Association (IDA). The organizations that make up the World Bank Group are owned by the governments of member nations, which have the ultimate decision-making power within the organizations on all matters, including policy, financial or membership issues. Member countries govern the World Bank Group through the Boards of Governors and the Boards of Executive Directors. These bodies make all major decisions for the organizations. To become a member of the Bank, under the IBRD Articles of Agreement, a country must first join the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Membership in IDA, IFC and MIGA are conditional on membership in IBRD.

(b) South Africa joined the World Bank on 27 December 1945.

World Health Organization (WHO)

(a)(ii) The WHO has 194 member states, most of which are UN members with the exception of the Cook Islands and Niue.

(a)(iii) What is the purpose of the WHO.

WHO's main functions can be described as to act as a directing and coordinating authority on international health work, to ensure valid and productive technical cooperation, and to promote research. The objective of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health

(b) South Africa was a founding member of the WHO in 1947.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

(a)(ii) There are 191 member states and territories in the WMO>

(a)(iii) Purpose of the WMO.

WMO provides world leadership and expertise in international cooperation in the delivery and use of high-quality, authoritative weather, climate, hydrological and related environmental services by its Members, for the improvement of the well-being of societies of all nations

(b) South Africa joined the WMO after its establishment on 23 March 1950.

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

(a)(ii) The UNWTO currently has 158 member states, all of which are members of the United Nations.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the UNWTO.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. The UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) seeks to leverage tourism as a catalyst for economic development on the African continent.

(b) South Africa joined the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in 1994.

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)

(a)(ii) The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations. WIPO currently has 191 member states.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the WIPO.

WIPO promotes the protection of intellectual property throughout the world through cooperation among states and, where appropriate, in conjunction with other international organizations. Amongst other things, WIPO encourages the conclusion of new international treaties and the modernization of national legislation; gives technical assistance to developing countries; assembles and disseminates information; assists in obtaining protection of inventions, marks and industrial designs for which protection in several countries is desired; and promotes administrative cooperation among member states.

(b) South Africa became a member of WIPO on 23 March 1975.

Treaty Bodies

South Africa is also a member of a range of United Nations human rights treaty Bodies. These are;

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

(a)(ii) The ICCPR has 167 state parties.

(a)(iii) The ICCPR’s purpose is that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil and political rights, as well as his economic, social and cultural rights, and to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and freedoms.

1. South Africa ratified the ICCPR on 10 December 1998, and the Optional Protocol (on abolishing the death penalty) on 28 August 2002.

• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

(a)(ii) The ICESCR has 160 state parties.

(a)(iii) The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) together with its sister Covenant, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Universal Declaration, form the International Bill of Human Rights. The ICESCR was adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 1966. The Covenant reflects the commitments adopted after World War II to promote social progress and better standards of life, reaffirming faith in human rights and employing the international machinery to that end. Since the ICESCR is an international human rights treaty, it creates legally binding international obligations to those States that have agreed to be bound by the standards contained in it.

1. South Africa ratified the ICESCR on 12 January 2015.

• Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)

(a)(ii) The CERD has 175 state parties.

(a)(iii) Parties to the ICERD ‘condemn racial discrimination’ and commit ‘to the elimination of racial discrimination in all its forms.’ States promise to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law.

(b) South Africa ratified the CERD on 10 December 1998.

• Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

(a)(ii) The CEDAW has 187 state parties.

(a)(iii) The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women.  Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

(b) South Africa ratified the CEDAW on 15 December 1995.

• Convention against Torture (CAT)

(a)(ii) The CAT has 153 state parties.

(a)(iii) United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) is an international human rights treaty that aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment around the world. The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture in any territory under their jurisdiction, and forbids states to transport people to any country where there is reason to believe they will be tortured.

(b) South Africa ratified the CAT on 10 December 1998.

• Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

(a)(ii) The CRC has 193 state parties.

(a)(iii) The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. The Convention defines a child as any human being under the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national legislation. Nations that ratify this convention are bound to it by international law. Compliance is monitored by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is composed of members from countries around the world. Once a year, the Committee submits a report to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which also hears a statement from the CRC Chair, and the Assembly adopts a Resolution on the Rights of the Child.

(b) South Africa ratified the CRC on 16 June 1995.

• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

(a)(ii) The CRPD has 129 state parties.

(a)(iii) The CRPD Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights and areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.

(b) South Africa ratified the CRPD on 30 November 2007.

Other international bodies, treaties and structures

(a)(ii) The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth consists of 53 members including: 19 African members, 7 Asian members, 13 members from the Caribbean and the Americas, 3 members from Europe and 11 members from the Pacific. Membership include countries amongst the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries, and were those that had historical linkages with the United Kingdom. More recently, newer members, like Rwanda, have no such historical linkage, but see benefit in the association. Thirty-one (31) members are classified as small states.

Africa

• Botswana
• Cameroon
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• The Gambia (re-joined on 8 February 2018)
• Swaziland
• Uganda
• United Republic of Tanzania
• Zambia

Asia

• Bangladesh
• Brunei Darussalam
• India
• Malaysia
• Pakistan
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka

Caribbean

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas, The
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Saint Lucia
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and The Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

Europe

• Cyprus
• Malta
• United Kingdom

Pacific

• Australia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

(a)(iii) The Commonwealth supports member countries to achieve development, democracy and peace and provides a voice for small and vulnerable states and acts as a champion for young people.

The Organisation helps to strengthen governance, build inclusive institutions and promote justice and human rights. Its work includes, growing economies, boosting trade, empowering young people, and addressing threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.

The Commonwealth also provides training and technical assistance and support decision-makers to draw up legislation and deliver policies. It deploys experts and observers who offer impartial advice and solutions to national problems and also provides systems, software and research for managing resources.

(b) South Africa re-joined the Commonwealth in 1994.

World Trade Organisation

(a)(ii) The WTO has 164 members, and 23 observers.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the WTO.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the international organization that oversees trade among member nations and acts as a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements and settle trade disputes under a system of rules and procedures. Its aim is to increase world trade by lowering barriers to the international sale of goods and services, including intellectual property. The WTO was formed on January 1, 1995, replacing the postwar multilateral trading order under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) with a more formal institutional arrangement. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

The WTO, as the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between states, convenes its topmost decision-making body, the Ministerial Conference, every two years as mandated by the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO. The WTO provides the multilateral framework of rules governing international trade relations, an essential mechanism for preventing and resolving trade disputes, and a forum for addressing trade related issues that affect all WTO members. The Ministerial Conference is empowered to take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements.

(b) South Africa was a member of the GATT and participated in the Uruguay Round of negotiations. The country ratified the Marrakesh Agreement in December 1994 and thus became a founding member of the WTO when the Organisation was established.

International Union for the Protection of new Varieties of Plants (UPOV)

(a)(ii) The UPOV currently has 75 members.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the UPOV.

The purposes of the UPOV Convention are to oblige member states of the Union to recognise and secure to breeders of new plant varieties an industrial property right (plant breeder's right), to harmonise such rights and to encourage cooperation between member states in their administration of such rights.

(b) South Africa joined the UPOV on 6 November 1977.

International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

(a)(ii) The IOM currently has 172 members.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the IOM.

As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:

• Assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management.
• Advance understanding of migration issues.
• Encourage social and economic development through migration.
• Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

(b) South Africa joined the IOM on 22 October 1997.

Antarctic Treaty System

(a)(ii) The total number of Parties to the Treaty is 53.

(a)(iii). Purpose of the Antarctic Treaty System.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58. It entered into force in 1961. Some important provisions of the Treaty are:

Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only (Art. I)

Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation toward that end … shall continue (Art. II).

Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available (Art. III).

(b) The Treaty was signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 12 June 1961.

The Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)

(a)(ii) The OIV has 46 member states.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the OIV.

The OIV is an intergovernmental organisation of a scientific and technical nature of recognised competence for its works concerning vines, wine, wine-based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine-based products.

(b) South Africa joined the OIV when it went into effect on 1 January 2004.

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)

(a)(ii) The ISO has 162 members.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the ISO.

The ISO is a world-wide federation of national standards bodies. The aim of the ISO is to promote the development of standardisation and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services and to develop cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. The scope of the ISO covers standardisation in all fields except electrical and electronic engineering standards, which are the responsibility of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The ISO brings together the interests of producers, users, governments and the scientific community in preparation for International Standards.

(b) South Africa joined the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1946 as one of 25 founding members.

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

(a)(ii) The OIE currently has 182 members.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the OIE

The need to fight animal diseases at global level led to the creation of the Office International des Epizooties through the international Agreement signed on January 25th 1924. In May 2003 the Office became the World Organisation for Animal Health but kept its historical acronym OIE. The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

(b) South Africa joined the OIE on 7 November 1945.

Bureau of International Expositions (BIE)

(a)(ii) The BIE currently has 170 members.

(a)(iii) The purpose of the BIE.

The BIE is the Intergovernmental Organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating all international exhibitions that last more than three weeks and are of non-commercial nature ("Expos"). Today, 4 main types of Expos are organised under its auspices: World Expos, Specialised Expos, Horticultural Expos and the Triennale di Milano. 

(b) South Africa joined the BIE on 1 September 1993.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

(a)(ii) There are currently 158 member states with a further 24 states in the process of accession.

(a)(iii). Purpose of IRENA

IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.  IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. With a mandate from countries around the world, IRENA encourages governments to adopt enabling policies for renewable energy investments, provides practical tools and policy advice to accelerate renewable energy deployment, and facilitates knowledge sharing and technology transfer to provide clean, sustainable energy for the world’s growing population.

(b) South Africa is a founding member of IRENA, signing the Statute on 17 January 2010, with ratification on 17 October 2010.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

(a)(ii) The OPCW currently has 193 member states.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the OPCW.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. The OPCW has 193 Member States, who are working together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.

The OPCW Member States share the collective goal of preventing chemistry from ever again being used for warfare, thereby strengthening international security. To this end, the Convention contains four key provisions:

•destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the OPCW;

•monitoring chemical industry to prevent new weapons from re-emerging;

•providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats; and

•fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.

(b) South Africa ratified the OPCW on 13 September 1995 and joined the body when it came into force on 29 April 1997.

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

(a)(ii) The ATT currently has 97 states parties and 130 signatory states.

(a)(iii) Purpose of the ATT.

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is an international treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional arms and seeks to prevent and eradicate illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms by establishing international standards governing arms transfers.

(b) South Africa’s instrument of ratification was deposited on 22 December 2014 and came into effect on 24 December 2014.

Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

(a)(ii) The CTBTO has 183 Member States, although the Treaty has not yet entered into force.

(a)(iii) The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was established by the States Signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty on 19 November 1996 and has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The objective of the CTBTO is to achieve the object and purpose of the Treaty, namely to ban nuclear test explosions and to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation among Member States.

(b) South Africa signed the Treaty in 1996 and ratified it in 1999.