PRESS RELEASE

on the visit of H.E. Ms Nomaindiya Cathleen Mfeketo, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa to the International Science and Technology Center main office at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan (9 November 2016, Astana)

In the course of her official visit to Kazakhstan, H.E. Ms Nomaindiya Cathleen Mfeketo, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRC) of the Republic of South Africa, visited on 9 November 2016 the main office of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) at the Nazarbayev University compound in Astana.

ISTC Executive Director David Cleave debriefed the South African delegation on the ISTC mission and impressive record of achievements, as well as on the new stage of the ISTC twenty years of performance, following the re-location of the organization in Astana, Kazakhstan. He informed about the recent ratification of the ISTC Continuing Agreement by the Parliament of the host country Kazakhstan, as well as by other ISTC Parties. Executive Director Cleave described the process of change and continuity ISTC experience at the moment and pointed out the main priorities of the organization, including the targeted initiatives the member states intend to carry out. He also outlined the excellent relations ISTC maintains with the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Astana.

In this context Deputy Minister Mfeketo received a debrief by ISTC Senior Project Manager Kamen Velichkov on two upcoming EU-funded projects: Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards under the EU Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation, and Support to the Centre of Excellence of Eastern and Central Africa in Nuclear Security within the framework of the EU Instrument contributing to Peace and Security. These projects and other ISTC initiatives offer ample opportunities for cooperation between ISTC and South African organizations, universities and research institutes, such as the Institute for Strategic Studies in Pretoria. The projects aim at increasing the capacity in the nuclear safety and nuclear security field of the Southern African Development Community, as well as the AU African Commission on Nuclear Energy, based in Pretoria.

The meeting was attended by the ambassadors of South Africa and of Kazakhstan, HE Dr Shirish M. Soni, and HE Mr Talgat Kaliyev.

The Minister was accompanied by a RSA delegation, comprising of officials from the MIRC, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Science and Technology and the South African Embassy in Astana.

From left to right: Kamen Velichkov (SPM & Diplomatic Advisor, ISTC), Prof. Anil Sooklal (Deputy Director-General, The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco)), David Cleave (ISTC ED), H.E. Ms Nomaindiya Cathleen Mfeketo (Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa), HE Shirish M. Soni (Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, RSA to KZ), Talgat Kaliyev (Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, KZ to RSA) and Khaya Sishuba (Director: International Relations, Ministry of Science and Technology).