The ASEAN-Pretoria Committee (APC), under the Chairmanship of the Philippines, met with Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and his team on 10 February 2023 at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Cape Town,during South Africa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) week.
This initial meeting between the APC and Eastern Cape presented an excellent opportunity for a robust discussion on the huge potential for cooperation between the province and the ASEAN region, and with individual ASEAN countries. Premier Oscar Mabuyane noted that the Eastern Cape province aims to be an enterprising and connected province where its people reach their potential by 2030.
For its part, the Philippines noted that the Philippines’ ties with the Eastern Cape province are deeply rooted in people-to-people linkages as the province is home to a significant number of Filipinos, particularly in East London and King Williams Town. The Embassy aims to further explore possible cooperation with the province in areas of mutual interest.
