Question NW364 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

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20 August 2019 - NW364

Profile picture: Sharif, Ms NK

Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

What (a) number of official international trips is (i) she and (ii) her deputies planning to undertake in the 2019 – 22 medium term expenditure framework, (b) will the (i) destination, (ii) date, (iii) purpose and (iv) number of persons who will travel with the delegation be and (c) is the detailed breakdown of the expected cost of (i) flights, (ii) accommodation and (iii) any other expenses in each case? NW 1336E

Reply:

(a) The major responsibilities of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is managing South Africa’s relations with the International World. This includes bilateral relations with countries across the globe, also engaging in the various multi-lateral institutions that deal with issues ranging from Peace and Security, Human Rights, Environmental Protection, Nuclear Non -Proliferation and Trade and Development. This means that over the course of MTEF, the

(i) Ministry inclusive of the Minister and

(ii) two Deputy Ministers would need to undertake various trips, to deal with Issues emanating from the bilateral and multi-lateral environments.

Some of the trips are standard, for an example we know that on annual basis, the South African President supported by the Minister of International Relations would be expected to travel to the United Nations, for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).So of course these kinds of trips we can pencil in and plan for well in advance. However, many of the trips arise from specific required interventions in the arena. Therefore it is not possible to provide a detailed schedule of trips on the MTEF as required by this question.

What I can undertake is to ensure that there are no trips that are undertaken when they are not necessary or relevant. I can also undertake that we would ensure that delegation sizes are not larger than what is needed to conclude diplomatic engagements successfully. I can undertake to ensure to keep the Ministry’s and the Department’s travel within the budget outlined in the MTEF. This may be difficult as South Africa has been asked as to serve as the Chair of the African Union during the year 2020. This will require additional funds which are not provided for on the MTEF. The Department will engage with National Treasury on this matter urgently.

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