At the conclusion of the 7th South Africa-Cuba Joint Steering Committee, both countries agreed to expand cooperation to other areas, including infrastructure investment and planning, among others.

They would also cooperate in developing green energy, including hydroelectric power, in addition to addressing climate change and its effects on infrastructure and national disaster management.

According to the final statement signed by South Africa’s First Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, and Bladimir Matos, vice president of Cuba’s National Institute of Water Resources, a Joint Working Group will be established to draft a new agreement for the 2025-2030 period, which would be approved at the 8th Cuba-South Africa Joint Steering Committee, scheduled for September 2024 in Havana.

Lázaro González, coordinator of the Cuban brigade, stated that Cuban experts are working in South Africa in the operation and maintenance of pumping stations and systems, reservoirs related to power generation, and mining and food production.

After inking the agreement, the two sides recalled how the founding fathers of the accord, President Nelson Mandela and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, showed a spirit of brotherhood that has befitted the historic bilateral ties that were strengthened during the meeting.

jg/iff/jf/mv