Minister Ronald Lamola: 11th session of Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the Republic of South Africa and Federal Republic of Nigeria

Opening remarks by Mr Ronald O. Lamola Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperations (DIRCO) of the Republic of South Africa on the occasion of the Ministerial Session of the 11th session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the Republic Of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Cape Town, 02 December 2024

My Dear Sister, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs 
Ministers,
Co-Chairs of the Senior Officials Meeting, 
Your Excellencies, High Commissioner Mseleku and Acting High Commissioner Ajayi,
Senior Officials from our respective Governments,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, allow me to warmly welcome you and your delegation to the city of Cape Town. Your journey from the great country of Nigeria to our shores to facilitate the upcoming Session of our respective Presidents is testimony to the enduring relationship that exists between our two countries. This symbolizes the very strong bonds of cooperation and solidarity that our countries enjoy. 

This year marks thirty years since our two countries established diplomatic relations, 
following decades of Nigeria’s relentless support for the anti-Apartheid struggle in South 
Africa, a gesture we will always cherish.

Dear Minister, we are deeply honored to host you and your Delegation at this Ministerial 
segment of the South Africa- Nigeria Bi-National Commission. As co-chairs, we are 
entrusted with the distinguished yet demanding task of steering the deliberations of this 
11th historic Bi-National Commission, in the presence of our fellow Colleague Ministers, 
whose leadership of their sectoral responsibilities is very important in determining a 
successful BNC. You are all acknowledged, and your input will also be critical in outlining 
the key features of our bilateral engagements. I also wish to take this opportunity to 
express appreciation to the technical experts, the officials who are at the core of the 
preparatory work that underpins this structured mechanism. We look forward to receiving the report of their meeting.

Dear Sister, Fellow Ministers,
When the 10th session of the BNC was held in 2021 in your country’s beautiful capital city
of Abuja, the deliberations, discussions and priorities identified were focused and 
constructive. That important session set the tone for this equally significant meeting. The 
review meeting held last year reinforced our collective determination to chart a significant
path towards providing impetus to this Ministerial meeting.

This session will therefore continue with the objective of further consolidating relations, to take stock and assess progress already made in implementing the decisions of the 
previous session, and following up on the outcomes of the review meeting held last year. 
Whilst we have made progress in achieving our objectives, it is also apparent that we need to work even more to realize our goals, to the mutual benefit of both our nations. 
One of the overriding imperatives of our bilateral relations is the need to increase our 
investment and trade relations to higher levels. The relatively large sizes of our economies logically dictates that our economic collaboration should be yielding much bigger results. 

To galvanize economic cooperation and to build upon the already established sectors that both our investors have in our markets, the dentification of bankable projects, particularly in infrastructure development, is one of the key priorities we should jointly pursue.
Similarly, it is crucial for South Africa and Nigeria to expand trade relations and to utilize 
the opportunities provided within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade 
Agreement. Our bilateral trade needs to reflect the enormous potentials that is abundant 
in our countries. 

Furthermore, enhanced people-to-people relations are critical in promoting 
understanding, friendship and shared values, but also in promoting tourism, our creative 
industries, sporting events, educational and scientific collaboration. This will also allow 
our citizens to appreciate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and heritage that exists in 
our respective countries.

Co-Chair, Ministers
As we deepen bilateral collaboration, our countries cannot avoid the historical 
responsibility bestowed on us to be responsive to the challenges in our regions, the 
continent and the international sphere. Nigeria has always championed the creation of an  international system based on the pursuit of peace in the conduct of relations among 
nations. Nigeria, like South Africa, puts a high premium of the promotion dialogue and 
peace in resolving disputes among countries. Your current and previous leadership of 
ECOWAS illustrates this track record of highlighting the supremacy of diplomacy over 
confrontation. 

South Africa, in the past thirty years as a democratic state, has espoused the principles 
of living in peace with its neighbors, Africa and the World. Our past history of division and subjugation of the oppressed majority by the privileged few, enjoined us to promote the 
core values of peace, dialogue, mediation and the creation of a just international order. 
This has shaped our approach to global issues. 

It is in this context that we are concerned by the state of peace and security in some parts of our continent and globally. The world is becoming fragmented and fragile, challenging the foundations that are important for anchoring a peaceful world. Multilateralism is under threat as the temptation to resort to force is becoming a feature of inter-state relations in certain regions. Our continent is also grappling with a few conflict and war situations in some regions. 

Dear Sister
As we seek to strengthen our global institutions to be responsive to the needs of all states, reform of some of these institutions has become paramount. It is important that progress is realized in the current engagements aimed at reforming the United Nations Security Council. This organ of the United Nations needs to be more inclusive.

In conclusion, I wish to assure the distinguished delegation of Nigeria that as my country 
has assumed Presidency of the G20 Forum from the 1st of December, South Africa is 
committed to ensuring that African developmental priorities are highlighted during our 
Presidency.

Once again, Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu, I welcome you and your delegation with open 
arms of friendship as we open this Ministerial segment. I look forward to the report of the Officials and hearing your insights and perspectives on the matters we are about to 
deliberate upon. 

I thank You.
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