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.
