On August 1, the UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Esther Muia presented her credentials as the UNFPA Country Representative to South Africa to the Deputy Minister (DM) of the Department for International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Mr. Luwellyn Landers.
During the occasion, Dr. Muia congratulated the DM for role of the South African delegation at the 47th International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), in April 2014. Acknowledging the excellent partnership between UNFPA and South African Government, UNFPA Representative stressed South Africa's critical role in terms of continuously supporting and defending ICPD principles and agenda at the recent regional and global dialogues and forums.
In addition, Dr. Muia showed appreciation on South Africa's contribution to finalisation of the common African position on Post 2015 development agenda and continuous advocacy for inclusion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and potential roles to play in further dialogues at all levels for advocating SRHR issues.
Points of discussion also revolved around the newly constituted BRICS Development Bank. UNFPA congratulated South Africa for hosting the first ever BRICS population experts' meeting in March this year in Mpumalanga which resulted in a BRICS framework of cooperation on population issues.
Deputy Minister Mr. Landers acknowledged the work UNFPA is conducting in South Africa and the support to the government and especially to women and young people; he emphasized the role of UNFPA in assisting progress in sexual and reproductive health rights especially the Family Planning agenda. The DM concluded the meeting with a statement of commitment by government in strengthening partnership and to work efficiently and consistently in the field of population and development.
