On 29 May 2023, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation issued a notice in the government gazette on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges for the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Cape Town and BRICS Summit to be held in Johannesburg in August.

This is a standard conferment of immunities that we do for all international conferences and summits held in South Africa irrespective of the level of participation. The immunities are for the conference and not for specific individuals. They are meant to protect the conference and its attendees from the jurisdiction of the host country for the duration of the conference.

These immunities do not override any warrant that may have been issued by any international tribunal against any attendee of the conference.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) wishes to advise the media that the collection of accreditation cards for the meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations will not commence on Monday, 29 May 2023, as previously announced. Further updates will be issued. The Department apologies for any inconvenience that may be caused. 

Enquiries: Nelson Kgwete, +27 76 431 3078 

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will host the Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Relations on 1 June 2023 in Cape Town. The mid-term meeting provides an opportunity for BRICS Foreign Ministers to reflect on regional and global developments.

Minister Pandor, as the Chair of the BRICS Ministerial Meeting, will continue with the policy of inclusive engagement by inviting 15 Foreign Ministers from Africa and the global south to a “Friends of BRICS” meeting to be held on 2 June 2023.

The ministerial meetings will be preceded by the meeting of Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas from 29 – 30 May 2023.

Members of the media interested in covering the meeting are requested to send the following information to Patience Mtshali, MtshaliP@dirco.gov.za and Kgopotso Rapakuana, RapakuanaK@dirco.gov.za.

•    Full Names and Surname
•    ID/Passport Number (for passport holders, please provide date of issue, country of issue and date of expiry)
•    Name of Media House
•    Designation

The deadline for the submission of the above information is 26 May 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

NB: Due to space limitations, media houses are advised to assign not more than two journalists to the event.

Enquiries: Mr Nelson Kgwete, 076 431 3078

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084