Political
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Belgium are cordial and based on a shared commitment to the values of freedom, democracy and a similar approach to a broad range of international issues, specifically peace and security. Diplomatic engagement is executed within the ambit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhanced Cooperation, which was signed on 10 September 2018 between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. Due to Belgium’s a unique constitutional dispensation many Government powers are devolved to its three regions – Brussels-Capital, Flanders and Wallonia.
 

The last (4th) SA-Belgium Joint Commission (JC) was hosted by Deputy Minister Alvin Botes in Pretoria on 8 November 2022.
 
Flanders: Relations with the Region of Flanders are conducted in terms of an Agreement signed in 2002. The 7th SA-Flanders Joint Committee happened in March 2022, followed by a working visit to South Africa by the Minister-President of Flanders, Mr Jan Jambon in April 2022
 

Both South Africa and Belgium have been elected to the Human Rights Council as from January 2023 – Dec 2024. During recent discussions it was agreed that opportunities would be pursued for the two countries to collaborate on human rights issues when possible.
 

Belgium allocated approximately R500 million in development assistance to South Africa between 1994 and 2019, but then took a decision to focus its ODA programmes on Least Developed Countries. However, Belgium still supports several ongoing programmes in South Africa related to skills development, capacity building, student exchanges, as well as technical assistance to small and medium size enterprises.
 
On invitation of President Ramaphosa, King Philippe undertook a State Visit to South Africa in March 2023. King Phillipe and Queen Mathilde were accompanied by a powerful delegation of about 150 persons, including the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Hadja Lahbib, and the Ministers-President of the different Regions in Belgium. The Royal Visit resulted in further strengthening the amicable relations between the two countries and showcased the substantial and diverse nature of South Africa’s relations with Belgium.
 
During the State Visit, a business forum organised by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Embassy of Belgium was attended by senior business representatives from both countries, thereby acknowledging Belgium’s status as a major trading partner and investor in South Africa. Furthermore, the King’s interaction with universities and civil society highlighted the cooperation that exists in joint research programmes and academic exchanges, as well as the programmes that Belgium supports to uplift disadvantaged communities in South Africa.
 

Economic
 
Belgium remains in the top ten export destinations for South Africa. From the latest statistics available total trade between South Africa and Belgium had increased by 21% from R73 billion in 2021 to R88 billion in 2022, with a slight increase in 2023 (R83 billion Jan-Nov 2023) South Africa enjoys a healthy trade surplus with Belgium with organic chemicals our main export (followed closely by diamonds and motor vehicles) and pharmaceutical products the main import.
 
With regards to tourism, the flow of travellers to South Africa is ever increasing following the slump during the pandemic period and it is expected to soon reach pre-pandemic figures. COVID had a significant impact on Belgian tourist arrivals in South Africa. In 2019, the last “normal” year for tourism before the pandemic, South Africa received 54,233 Belgian tourists, but this number declined by 83% to only 9,106 in 2021. The number of tourists has since recovered to 44,500 over the twelve months to the end of September 2023.
 
Social
 
Some Belgian universities have established relations with South African Universities, while South Africa is engaging various universities to enhance cooperation, and to promote the possible increase in full scholarship programmes, vocational training for South African students, training and exchange programmes with colleges (equivalent to TVET) and Universities.
 
Science and Technology
 
The SA Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) signed an MoU with the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) in 2016, with the purpose to formalize cooperation on science and technology with Belgium. DSI and BELSPO priority areas for research cooperation includes climate change, marine & antarctica, biodiversity and space.
 
Belgian researchers are also engaged in various EU funded projects under Horizon 2020, some of which South African researchers are also part of, including in the areas of oceans research, climate change as well as biodiversity. Further opportunities for cooperation will be explored under the new EU research programme, Horizon Europe.
 
Both South Africa and Belgium have bilateral cooperation agreements on STI with China as well as with each other. Discussions were initiated in May 2020 between the Belgian Science Office (BELSPO), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST) and the Department of Science and Innovation of South Africa (DSI), responsible for the implementation of these agreements, on launching a trilateral research call.
 
Developments on cooperation in Pharmaceuticals
 
During the Royal visit to South Africa in March 2023, King Phillipe and his delegation visited the South African biotech company, Afrigen whom at the time announced it would soon be able to produce RNA for vaccines with the help of a Belgian automated mini-laboratory, making it easier for the Cape Town-based company – which developed the first African mRNA vaccine against Covid-19 – to scale up its production.
 
This existing partnership between South Africa and Belgian stakeholders in the field of mRNA development and production could propel heightened cooperation between the two countries in the general health and medical sector. Furthermore, the CSIR Battery Test Bed Facility is a collaborative project between the independent Flemish research organisation, VITO, and the CSIR in the area of cleantech and sustainable development.
 
 

Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs – www.diplomatie.belgium.be