South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)

[💡NEWSLETTER] This edition presents expert insights into South Africa’s evolving foreign policy, the opportunities presented by skills foresight in green, digital and AI futures in SADC, and straining relations between South Africa and the US. ✅ Sign up to receive the latest research, analysis and news from SAIIA. ➡️ https://bit.ly/41hQ9ue   #foreignpolicy #SADC #AI #internationalaffairs #geopolitics

[ 📚 NEW RESEARCH] The convergence of green industrialisation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform economies globally, presenting both opportunities and challenges for SADC. However, the realisation of this potential relies heavily on a skilled workforce and populations capable of beneficially adapting to evolving industries, economies and societies.   🧑🎓 Based on participatory futures research, integrating strategic foresight, anticipatory governance and sustainable development perspectives this research by Deon Cloete, Njeri Mwagiru and Litha Lethu Mzinyati highlights the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the region’s skills development landscape and the importance of foresight-driven skills strategies to prepare for green industrialisation, digitalisation and AI transformations. 💡 Read more here: https://bit.ly/4j13qhY #AI #SADC #greenindustrialisation #skillsdevelopment

[In the news] SAIIA Programme Manager and Researcher in the Futures Programme, Letitia Jentel, discusses the “#cancelcoal” case with Dialogue Earth, its implications for South Africa’s #G20 leadership and an economy that redistributes land while supporting community-owned energy projects. 💡 Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dr8hNR8t

[IN-PERSON EVENT] 🌍 The G20 presidency provides an influential policymaking arena where South Africa can align its national priorities with global development goals in trade, technology and innovation which can be echoed across the continent, but it faces geopolitical tensions arising in both the Global North and Global South. Join SAIIA's Western Cape branch to unpack the opportunities presented by South Africa's G20 presidency.  📅 1 April 2025  ⏰ 5:30pm to 7:30pm 📨  RSVP here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4auhFbO #G20SouthAfrica #G20

[📼 In case you missed it] Department of International Relations and Cooperation and SAIIA, on 24 March 2025, hosted a joint symposium discussing South Africa's foreign policy priorities and diplomatic challenges. DIRCO Deputy Minister Alvin Botes delivered the keynote address before opening an interactive panel discussion moderated by Gustavo de Carvalho with participants Priyal Singh, Anthoni van Nieuwkerk and Faith Mabera, PhD. 📼 You can watch the recording here➡️ https://bit.ly/3Rop1ox #SAForeignPolicy #G20SouthAfrica #BRICS #G20

[Interview] SAIIA chief executive Elizabeth Sidiropoulos speaks to African Business Magazine about South Africa's #G20 presidency amid strained relations with the US. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4j44Vfl #SAforeignpolicy #foreignpolicy #internationalrelations #G20presidency #G20SouthAfrica

✍ Contribute to global governance conversations! T20 South Africa welcomes year-round blog submissions that explore G20 and T20 themes. This is an opportunity for all experts, including those who missed the abstract deadline, to contribute their insights. Please review the guidelines below to participate. We're accepting submissions until 31 October 2025.

🌍 A consistent theme to emerge from two weeks of discussions in the US has been that the Trump administration’s transactional approach to foreign relations perceives South Africa as standing at odds with some key policy priorities, writes Gustavo de Carvalho. 🖇️ Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4c54H59 #SAforeignpolicy #EbrahimRasool #foreignaffairs #AGOA

T20 POLICY BRIEFS - UPDATE | Thank you to all authors who responded to the call for abstracts. T20 South Africa received an overwhelming 800+ submissions. The diversity and relevance of the contributions to our thematic priorities were truly encouraging. Please find the list of selected abstracts here: https://lnkd.in/dE8YHyMz

📸 The Department of International Relations and Cooperation and SAIIA hosted a joint symposium on the 24th of March 2025 unpacking South Africa’s foreign policy approach, focusing on key diplomatic priorities and regional security engagements. 🌍 The discussions assessed the sustainability of South Africa’s multilateral role, its engagement with BRICS and other strategic partners and its evolving diplomatic relationships, including tensions with Western powers. DIRCO Deputy Minister Mr Alvin Botes discussed how South Africa is navigating a shifting global landscape marked by intensified competition, realigned alliances, contested norms and growing geopolitical tensions. He emphasised the need for a strategic and adaptive foreign policy to safeguard national interests and promote stability in an increasingly turbulent world. SAIIA National Council member, Mr Kuseni Dlamini, spoke about straining relations between South Africa and the US ahead of handing over the G20 presidency in December. He said that what remains imperative is for South Africa to redefine its role within a shifting global order that is increasingly transactional and fragmented. These addresses were followed by an interactive panel discussion, led by SAIIA Senior Researcher Gustavo de Carvalho, with insights from Priyal Singh, Sithembile Mbete, Anthoni van Nieuwkerk and Faith Mabera, PhD. 📼 Watch the recording here➡️ https://bit.ly/3Rop1ox #SAForeignPolicy #G20SouthAfrica #BRICS #G20 📸 Department of International Relations and Cooperation