On 4 December, the eighth Joint Committee for Cooperation between Flanders and South Africa took place in Pretoria.

The governments of Flanders and South Africa have enjoyed a fruitful relationship over the past twenty years. The meeting provided room for a mutual discussion on political, social and economic trends and for an extensive overview of these longstanding bilateral relations. Several common interests and topics for future cooperation were identified, including innovation, research, blue and circular economy, youth, and culture. This follows on from the agenda set at highest political level during the meeting between the President of South Africa and the Minister-President of the Government of Flanders on 14 November 2018.

The Joint Committee was chaired by Ambassador Lallie, Chief Director responsible for Western Europe at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, and Koen Jongbloet, Head of the Foreign Affairs division of the Government of Flanders.

Both Flanders and South Africa are looking forward to a concrete and results-oriented cooperation on the agreed topics.