Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
28 March 2002
The 4th session of the Bi-national Commission between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was held in Pretoria, South Africa from 25 to 28 March 2002. The South African delegation was led by His Excellency Jacob Zuma, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, while His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led his country's delegation.
During the session, which was preceded by meetings of experts within the sectors of co-operation covered by the Commission during the week of 18 - 22 March 2002, bilateral consultations were held within the context of the Commission's six Working Groups, ie:
1.. Trade, Industry & Finance Working Group
2.. Minerals & Energy Working Group
3.. Agriculture, Water Resources & the Environment Working Group
4.. Foreign Affairs & Co-operation Working Group
5.. Science & Technology, Culture, Tourism, Education, Health and Sport & Recreation working Group
6.. Public Enterprises, Transport, Aviation & Privatisation Working Group
The session provided the delegations of the two countries the opportunity to assess the progress made within these Working Groups since the 3rd session of the Commission held in Nigeria in March 2001 and to further expand the areas of co-operation between South Africa and Nigeria. The session also served to explore and agree on concrete actions to promote the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) within the various sectors of bilateral co-operation, an initiative in which the Heads of State of the two countries are playing a leading role.
With regard to trade, industry and finance, valuable discussions were held on core issues of mutual interest, which include co-operation in specific industrial projects, the Nigerian privatisation process, the possible establishment of a bi-national investment forum, increased private sector collaboration, mutual assistance and co-operation in customs administration and the envisaged establishment of a Nigeria-South Africa Free Trade Area.
On minerals and energy, the increased collaboration between the two countries in the geology, mining, oil and gas and electricity sectors were noted, while a number of visits have been agreed upon to take place during the coming year.
In the field of agriculture, increased exchanges of information and expertise in a wide range of areas were agreed upon, including animal and plant health, agricultural processing and research, trade and investment, capacity building, food security, access to genetic materials and rural development.
With respect to water resource development, several projects were agreed upon, covering areas such as irrigation, the local production of water treatment chemicals, institutional linkages between the two countries, water supply and sanitation, data collection for resource monitoring, evaluation and management and the identification and utilisation of business opportunities in the two countries.
On foreign affairs and co-operation, comprehensive discussions were held on the status of preparations towards the launch of the principal organs of the African Union (AU), NEPAD, and the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Co-operation in Africa (CSSDCA), the crucial issues of external debt, disaster management, globalisation, gender issues and women's advancement, the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be held in South Africa, peacekeeping, the international fight against terrorism and conflict prevention, management and resolution on the African continent. Substantial progress was also made with regard to co-operation on issues related to defence, immigration, justice and anti-crime.
In the field of science and technology, the two countries identified several areas of common interest where bilateral co-operation could make a significant impact, while additional areas of co-operation were agreed upon within the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sport.
With regard to the restructuring of state assets currently underway in both countries, discussions were focused on ways to enhance institutional capacity building. On communications, the two countries committed themselves to closer co-operation and increased exchanges in the areas of information and communications technology (ICT), telecommunications, transport and infrastructure.
Four agreements on co-operation in the fields of Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Immigration and Health were signed during the session, bringing the total number of bilateral agreements concluded between South Africa and Nigeria since the establishment of the Commission in October 1999 to fifteen. In addition, three Memoranda of Understanding were signed, on Sport, Communications and Postal Services and Science and Technology.
The 5th session of the Bi-national Commission is due to be held in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2003.
For enquiries please contact:
Ms Lakela Kaunda - 082 7822 575
Ms Zanele Mngadi - 082 781 9332