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Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will lead the South African delegation to the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 25 – 29 September 2026.

Convened every five years, the Congress serves as a global forum for Member States and justice sector stakeholders to consider shared responses to crime, strengthen criminal justice systems and promote the rule of law.

The Congress will be held under the theme: “Accelerating crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: Protecting people and planet and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age”.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development noted that the Congress is taking place at a time when countries are increasingly concerned about the impact of crime on societies, and various criminal activities becoming increasingly complex, adaptive and interlinked, and transcend borders, sectors and jurisdictions.

The department said international community must work together efficiently through timely, coordinated, evidence-based responses at the international, regional, and national levels, strengthened international cooperation, and a global commitment to concrete action and tangible outcomes.

“The congress will provide a platform for countries to commit multidisciplinary efforts to prevent and combat crime through cooperation and coordination among law enforcement, other criminal justice institutions, and other government sectors,” the department said.

The programme includes plenary sessions, a high-level segment, thematic discussions, workshops, ancillary meetings and exhibitions.

The Congress is also expected to consider the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which will provide a framework for international cooperation on crime prevention and criminal justice over the next five years.

Kubayi is expected to participate in high-level engagements during the Congress.

The South African delegation will include representatives from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as other departments within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. – SAnews.gov.za

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As South African public schools closed for the September spring holiday on Wednesday, Social Development Minister Dina Pule has urged South Africans, particularly parents and guardians, to remain vigilant and take every precaution to protect children from harm.

“Some of these children will be travelling to various holiday destinations, and South Africans are urged to ensure that their safety is not compromised. To remain proactive and prevent abuse, including gender-based violence and human trafficking, parents must always exercise caution and alert their neighbours or family members when children are left alone at home,” Pule said in a statement on Friday.

The Minister stressed that children, whenever possible, must not be allowed to roam the streets without a valid reason, as they may become vulnerable to various forms of abuse, including abduction, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

As the Department of Social Development is responsible for the implementation of Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), the Minister said the department will continue to strengthen communities and provide institutional responses, care, support and healing to survivors of GBV and their families.

The implementation of Pillar 4 requires all South Africans, including civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and society at large, to play their part in preventing and responding to GBVF.

“It is important for parents and caregivers to ensure the safety of children by knowing their whereabouts at all times, as perpetrators may take advantage of vulnerable children during the school holidays,” the Minister said.

Pule also reminded South Africans that they have a collective responsibility to continuously provide care, support and protection to children. This is in support of the 365 Days Comprehensive Child Protection Campaign.

The Minister further encouraged citizens to share contact details of Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) with their children and those responsible for their care.

Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or is experiencing any form of violence is urged to contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428. The Command Centre can also be accessed by sending a Please Call Me to *120*7867#; or SMS with the word “Help” to 31531; or using Skype: Helpme GBV.

The centre will remain fully operational 24 hours a day, including throughout the school holidays. The Minister wished all children a safe and enjoyable school holiday. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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New York, USA — India, Brazil and South Africa have reaffirmed the role of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum as a vehicle for strengthening South-South cooperation and advancing a more representative multilateral system amid growing global geopolitical and economic challenges. 

The three countries made the commitment during an IBSA Ministerial Meeting hosted by South Africa on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, where International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola chaired discussions with Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira and India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. 

South Africa assumed the IBSA chairship for 2026–2027, placing the forum’s priorities within its broader emphasis on peace, development, multilateralism and reform of global governance.

IBSA was established in 2003 as a trilateral forum bringing together three major democracies and developing economies from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The forum also operates the IBSA Fund for the Alleviation of Hunger and Poverty, which supports South-South development projects in developing countries.

IBSA as a platform for a changing world

Opening the meeting, Lamola said South Africa had assumed the chairship with an understanding of both the responsibility attached to the platform and the work undertaken by the three countries over more than two decades.

“As like-minded emerging economies, we recognise that we have a collective role to play in addressing and correcting the imbalances in the global economy,” Lamola said.

He stressed that IBSA was not directed against other countries but was a platform through which the three countries could advance shared principles and contribute to global governance reform. 

“IBSA is not a bloc; it’s not an alliance against anyone. It is a conversation amongst three democracies of the South, three continents and three regions, three great civilisations, who came to view that the world as it is organised does not reflect the world as it actually is,” the Minister said.

Lamola said the current international environment had placed pressure on the principles underpinning multilateral cooperation, including respect for the UN Charter, international law and international humanitarian law.

“IBSA exists precisely for this. This is an important platform to strengthen and uphold the United Nations Charter, multilateralism, international law, and international humanitarian law,” he said. 

He added that defending the existing system was not sufficient and that IBSA should also contribute to reforming global governance.

“We must advance the reform of global governance in the direction of more just, equitable, and representative international and multilateral system, a Security Council that reflects the world of today, rather than the world of 1945,” the Minister said.

Lamola said this should extend to international financial institutions and the global trading system, with rules applied consistently and equitably.

Peace, development and practical cooperation 

South Africa has placed “peace, prosperity and development” at the centre of its IBSA chairship, drawing the theme from the forum’s founding principles.

Lamola said the chairship would focus on political engagement, technical cooperation through IBSA working groups and people-to-people exchanges, as well as practical development projects through the IBSA Fund.

Among the priorities are cooperation on sustainable energy and ensuring that energy transitions are financed in a manner that does not place developing countries in an impossible position.

The countries will also deepen cooperation on poverty alleviation and zero hunger, strengthen foundational learning and future skills, and accelerate cooperation on new technologies.

Lamola called for the three countries to align their respective priorities into a common work programme.

“We are also aware of the important priorities of Brazil and India. Let us integrate this into one work programme for the coming year, which we can pursue through the working groups,” the Minister said.

He said South Africa would also review the existing IBSA working groups to ensure they support the forum’s strategic objectives.

Brazil backs stronger IBSA coordination

Vieira said IBSA brought together three major democracies from three continents with shared principles and the capacity to contribute to a fairer international order.

“Few partnerships embody the diversity and political weight of the global South as IBSA, a bridge across three continents, bringing together three major democracies with shared values and a common commitment to building a fairer international order,” Vieira said. 

He said the international system is facing pressure from the growing use of unilateral measures and the erosion of established multilateral rules.

Vieira highlighted trade as a particular area requiring stronger multilateral cooperation, warning against the proliferation of tariffs and non-tariff measures that can disrupt trade and investment.

“Trade must not become an instrument of political pressure or geopolitical rivalry,” he emphasised.

Brazil, India and South Africa, he said, should work together to defend a transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organisation.

Vieira also supported reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that developing countries should have a greater presence in both permanent and non-permanent categories.

“A Security Council that does not adequately represent Africa, Asia and Latin America cannot fully reflect the world on whose behalf it is expected to act,” he said.

He further called for stronger representation in global economic governance and stressed the importance of South Africa’s participation in the G20.

Tackling hunger, poverty and inequality

The IBSA partners also highlighted the forum’s development work as an example of practical South-South cooperation.

Vieira said the IBSA Fund demonstrated how developing countries could cooperate through locally owned initiatives rather than conditional assistance.

“South-owned, South-led and driven by local needs,” he said.

He proposed closer alignment between the IBSA Fund and the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to strengthen international efforts to address hunger and poverty.

Brazil also backed the proposed International Panel on Inequality (IPI), an initiative being advanced by Brazil, South Africa, Spain and Norway.

“At a time when inequality is testing public trust in institutions, the IPI represents a timely and necessary initiative, one that can help chart a path towards more equitable and resilient societies,” Vieira said.

The issue of inequality has been a major theme of South Africa’s multilateral diplomacy, including during its 2025 G20 Presidency, and remains prominent in its engagement at UNGA81.

India highlights AI, climate and Security Council reform

The Indian delegation similarly backed deeper IBSA cooperation, particularly in development, technology, climate action and reform of global governance.

India highlighted the IBSA Fund’s contribution to South-South cooperation, noting that projects have supported areas, including education, health, women’s empowerment and solar energy.

The delegation also proposed greater cooperation between the three countries on digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence, including the possible development of an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance through which the countries could share experiences and best practice.

The Indian side stressed that AI should be developed responsibly and that developing countries should participate meaningfully in shaping emerging technologies.

“IBSA can assume a leading role in emerging technologies, particularly in the areas of digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence,” the delegation said.

Climate change was also identified as a key area for cooperation, with India emphasising the need for developing countries to have access to affordable finance and technology to meet their climate goals.

On global governance, India joined the call for comprehensive and time-bound reform of the UN Security Council.

“We must work collectively towards expanding the UN Security Council in both categories in a time-bound manner to make it more democratic, representative, protective and efficient,” the delegation said.

From dialogue to delivery

Lamola said preparations are underway for a senior officials’ meeting in October 2026, with a possible virtual IBSA Leaders Meeting in 2027 and an eventual IBSA Leaders’ Summit at a mutually agreed time and venue.

“As the chair of IBSA, South Africa will continue to steer the ship for the benefit of the global South and our peoples,” he said. 

The meeting comes as South Africa uses its wider multilateral engagements during UNGA81 to advance reform of global governance, strengthen South-South cooperation and advocate for greater representation of developing countries in international institutions. – SAnews.gov.za

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Young farmers in the Eastern Cape are set to benefit from improved irrigation infrastructure, which will enable them to extend their growing season, increase production and create employment opportunities.

This follows a multimillion rand investment infrastructure handed over to farmers in the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality, OR Tambo, to help increase agricultural production and promote inclusive economic growth.

Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe handed over the infrastructure on Wednesday, as part of the department’s efforts to strengthen agricultural production, improve food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.

The programme started at Sigubudwini village, where the MEC handed over infrastructure to support Vivi-Am Holdings, a youth-led enterprise focusing on vegetable production.

The infrastructure includes an irrigation system, storage infrastructure and fencing valued at R3.8 million. The irrigation system covers 11 hectares of land under production, while the fencing extends over 20 hectares.

Vivi-AM young farmer, Sihle Guzane, said the improved irrigation system has made it possible for the enterprise to strengthen production capacity.

“The irrigation is helping us a lot, as it gives us an opportunity to plant throughout the season. Since the infrastructure is of a better standard than the one we used to have, our crops receive sufficient water to help them grow,” Guzane said.

The increased production capacity has also enabled the enterprise to create employment opportunities, with both permanent and seasonal workers appointed as the operation expands.

The project also received a tractor from the department in June, providing much needed relief for farming operations, and reducing some of the operational challenges faced by the young farmers.

Kontsiwe commended the commitment of the young farmers and the work done by the department to enable them to transform agriculture in their community.

“These young people have dedicated themselves to this work. They are young but work hard. We are encouraged by their dedication to working the land and the fact that they have an established market where they sell their produce,” the MEC said.

Beyond supporting agricultural enterprises, the department’s intervention also extended to infrastructure investment aimed at improving access to water for communities in Kumkani Mhlontlo.

At Nyanisweni village, Kontsiwe, accompanied by Kumkani Mhlontlo Mayor Mbulelo Jara and Local Economic Development Portfolio Head Mbuti Voko, officially handed over a spring water protection project aimed at providing a reliable water source for households and strengthening community food production initiatives.

The Spring Water Protection programme responds to the constitutional commitment contained in Section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which recognises everyone’s right to access to sufficient water.

The intervention has provided community members with reliable water for household consumption and irrigation.

The installation of the spring water infrastructure also created temporary employment opportunities, with 40 community members employed during the installation phase in May 2025.

The MEC further handed over agricultural inputs to 12 households with backyard food gardens. The inputs, worth R80 000, included fertiliser and vegetable seedlings. – SAnews.gov.za

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