On 4 June 2026, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, Deputy Director-General (DDG): Global Governance and Continental Agenda, met with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative for South Africa, Mr Yu Yu, to discuss areas of mutual interest and strengthen cooperation in support of South Africa’s development priorities.
The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between South Africa and international development partners in pursuit of sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.
Focus on the Upcoming UNFPA Country Programme
Discussions focused on the implementation of the forthcoming UNFPA Country Programme and opportunities to align its objectives with South Africa’s national development agenda.
Both parties explored practical ways to enhance cooperation and maximise the impact of programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of communities across the country.
Leveraging South Africa’s Expertise and Leadership
The meeting highlighted opportunities to leverage South Africa’s expertise and leadership in key development areas, including:
- Population and development;
- Demographic analysis;
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); and
- Gender-based violence prevention and response.
These areas remain critical to advancing human development, promoting gender equality, and supporting sustainable socio-economic progress.
Advancing Regional and Continental Cooperation
The engagement also explored opportunities for South Africa to contribute to regional and continental initiatives in the fields of population dynamics, health, and gender equality.
As a leading advocate for sustainable development on the African continent, South Africa is well positioned to share its experience and expertise in support of broader African development objectives.
Commitment to Stronger Partnership
Ambassador Mabhongo and Mr Yu reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening collaboration and identifying practical initiatives that will support the successful implementation of the forthcoming Country Programme.
The meeting underscored the importance of strong partnerships in advancing sustainable development outcomes and reflected a common vision of improving the lives of people in South Africa and across the African continent.
Through continued cooperation, South Africa and UNFPA aim to strengthen development interventions that promote human dignity, gender equality, improved health outcomes, and inclusive growth.
Image: DIRCO
