South Africa's Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, expressed his country's gratitude for Finland's unwavering support during a recent bilateral meeting. This meeting, held at OR Tambo House in Pretoria, highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations. Finland's Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, was in attendance, along with President Alexander Stubb, who participated at short notice, further emphasizing the commitment between the two countries.
The G20 Leaders' Summit, hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg, showcased the successful collaboration between the two nations. This summit was a significant event, attended by President Stubb and his delegation, and it further solidified the positive relationship between South Africa and Finland.
The bilateral engagement between South Africa and Finland has been strengthening, particularly during the State Visit of former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in April 2023. This visit resulted in several positive outcomes, including collaboration on water resource management, educational models for Early Childhood Development, initiatives for out-of-school youth and adult education, and a joint effort to train young peace mediators.
These practical projects reflect the substance and value of the partnership between the two countries. The Deputy President emphasized that the visit builds on these high-level engagements and serves to further consolidate the bilateral relations, especially in the areas of trade and investment.
Water management and digitalization are central pillars of the bilateral cooperation. The 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU) on water resources between South Africa and Finland is a significant milestone, focusing on innovation and technology. The collaboration in this field is further strengthened by the participation of the Finnish delegation in the Technical Conference of the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA).
The Deputy President also recognized Finland's continued partnership on key global challenges, including the strengthening of multilateralism and international law, peacebuilding and mediation, gender equality and human rights, and the global response to climate change. South Africa and Finland share a conviction that equitable representation in the United Nations and the wider multilateral system is essential for sustainable peace and development.
The relationship between South Africa and Finland has evolved into a partnership that supports Africa's broader development priorities. The two nations commend Finland's consistent and principled support for the comprehensive reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, and its advocacy for a more just, inclusive, and rules-based international order.
