Message of welcome to South African Embassy Website

Welcome to the website of the South African Embassy in Buenos Aires, which serves South Africa’s interests in Argentina, and is also accredited to the neighbouring countries of Uruguay and Paraguay.

The South African Embassy is both a diplomatic mission and a living and vibrant symbol of the close relationship which exists between Argentina and South Africa. Both our countries have economies of similar size, are rich in natural resources and share membership of the G-20, the pre-eminent body representing the world’s most significant economic powers. Argentina and South Africa have much in common and share an agenda to advance both our bilateral relations and the wider issues of South-South co-operation.

We hope that both citizens of Argentina and South Africa will find this website useful and user friendly. It contains sections outlining assistance the Embassy can offer, and contact details, in respect of trade, consular services, defence, tourism, arts & culture. Please forward any suggestions for improvements or comments to info.argentina@dirco.gov.za.

You can also use this website to view general information on South Africa and its people. South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup proved that our country is ready to receive both investors and tourists and to share with them our world-class African country, which offers both a visual feast and great economic opportunities.
During 2010, Argentine tourist arrivals in South Africa increased by over 120%, providing a platform for future growth in this important market.

During 2011, we continued sharing mutual experiences of development, defence, sport, trade and democracy. Highlights during this past year were an 80% increase in South African exports to Argentina; our Embassy’s successful hosting of the Binational Commission Seminar in Buenos Aires under the banner of “South Africa - Argentina”. Gateway countries to continental opportunity”, and our high-profile participation in the Paraguayan

Bicentennial in Asunción where we displayed the Apartheid Museum Nelson Mandela Photo Exhibition in Spanish.
Among the major activities for 2012 will be a multiplicity of political, cultural and, of course, sporting events in August to celebrate Argentina’s debut in the new Four Nations “Rugby Championship”, alongside South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, and the Embassy co-hosting the major South African Airways “Explore South Africa” travel expo in Buenos Aires on 30 August 2012.

On the diplomatic front, we look forward to the final ratification of the 2008 SACU – Mercosur preferential Trade Agreement, which will further strengthen the southern ties which bind our regions together.

Best wishes,

Tony Leon
Ambassador

Ambassador’s corner

Durban conference delivers a historical breakthrough climate change talks

After months of preparation and a marathon two weeks of negotiations that ended in the early morning hours of 11 December 2011, the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference or COP17/CMP7 came to an end at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban. Parties delivered a breakthrough on the future of the international community's response to climate change, whilst recognizing the urgent need to raise their collective level of ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep the average global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius.
The Parties thanked the COP17/CMP7 President, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, for her leadership in guiding the conference to produce a positive outcome. Read more