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His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 22 April 2022, host His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana for the 5th Session of the Bi-National Commission of Cooperation (BNC) between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Botswana. 

Prior to the establishment of the BNC in 2010, structured bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Botswana were conducted within the frameworks of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security which was signed on 30 June 2000 and the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) which was signed on 12 March 2003. 

The BNC Agreement has since transformed the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) into a fully-fledged BNC, resulting in Botswana becoming one of the few countries with which South Africa has a structured framework of bilateral cooperation at Head of State and/or Government level. 

The BNC comprises a Political and Diplomatic Committee; Defence and Security Committee; Economic Committee and Social Committee which promote cooperation in these areas. 

Since the establishment of the BNC, the two countries have strengthened their bilateral cooperation in various sectoral areas, resulting in the signing of 38 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. 

The 5th Session of the BNC will evaluate progress on all outstanding projects and the implementation of commitments of the 4th BNC, and to further reaffirm the bilateral relations and enhance cooperation within the framework of the BNC. 

The BNC will also provide a platform to exchange views on international issues of mutual interest 

The BNC is preceded by the Senior Officials meetings from 19-20 April 2022 and the Ministerial meeting on 21 April 2022. 

Issued by the Presidency