SOUTH AFRICA STRENGTHENS TIES WITH EU AHEAD OF KEY GLOBAL SUMMITS

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa is making sure its voice is heard globally as it takes part in the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development in New York this week.
• The Acting Director-General of the Department Social Development Peter Netshipale is leading the delegation from South Africa to the meeting.
• The department is in New York to ensure South Africa’s voice is heard on critical issues such as poverty eradication, youth employment, and social inclusion, Netshipale says.

South Africa’s Department of Social Development is taking part in the 63rd session of the United Nations (UN) Commission for Social Development in New York as the country intensifies its global engagements ahead of major international summits.

The Acting Director-General of the Department Social Development Peter Netshipale is leading the delegation.

Ahead of the commission, Netshipale held a bilateral engagement with the European Union mission to the UN on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, where he and his team met with Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis.

The meeting focused on South Africa’s preparedness for the upcoming ministerial conference of the G20, set to take place in March.

This year’s conference is of particular significance as South Africa holds the G20 presidency – the first African country to do so.

During the discussions, the European Union reaffirmed its support for South Africa’s social policy priorities, particularly in advancing decent work and social protection initiatives.

The bilateral engagement also included deliberations on the forthcoming World Summit on Social Development, which will address critical global social issues affecting both South Africa and the European Union.

“This meeting underscored the importance of multilateral collaboration in tackling social challenges and strengthening global partnerships,” said Netshipale.

The South African delegation remains actively engaged at the UN Commission for 

Social Development, which concludes on Friday, 14 February. This annual gathering serves as a key platform for countries to assess global progress on social policies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking on South Africa’s participation at Commission for Social Development, Netshipale emphasised the country’s commitment to advancing social development on both national and global stages.

“We are here to ensure that South Africa’s voice is heard on critical issues such as poverty eradication, youth employment, and social inclusion. Our participation strengthens our role in shaping international policies that have a direct impact on our people,” he said.

With engagements at the European Union mission and the UN Commission for Social Development, South Africa continues to solidify its influence in global social policy discourse as it prepares to lead discussions at the G20 and the upcoming World Summit on Social Development.