Joint Statement on the 2012 South Africa-United States Strategic Dialogue

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Clinton consulted on a number of global issues, including developments in Africaand the Middle East. The election of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the African Union Commission was welcomed by both parties and it was agreed to continue to deepen cooperation on strategic issues through regular consultation, including through regular bilateral meetings of senior officials.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and Secretary Clinton noted the United States’ $3.2 billion contribution to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS programme which has helped South Africa reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, lower the costs of antiretroviral therapies, and scale up prevention, including through a $40 million grant to the voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) Programme. The Strategic Dialogue discussed how the transfer of ownership of PEPFAR’s care and treatment programmes to South Africa will occur. This will be the first such transfer anywhere in the world. The U.S. and South Africa committed to working together until the back of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is broken.

The importance of safeguarding food security as a requisite to continued economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa was also discussed. They welcomed U.S.-South African cooperation to improve food security through the Feed the Future Strategic Partnership.