Africa, Caribbean, Pacific | Johannesburg, 16 October

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is in South Africa on 16 and 17 October. The Commissioner will attend a civil society forum in Johannesburg marking one year since the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and six countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) came into force provisionally.

Together with ministers from the region, she will open the high-level event with more than 150 civil society organisations. Afterwards, representatives of NGOs, trade associations and trade unions will have the opportunity to comment on their experiences of the trade deal, one year on.

Whilst in South Africa the Commissioner will participate in a number of meetings, including with South African Minister of Trade Rob Davies, to discuss trade policy and the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement. She will also visit Witwatersrand (Wits) University where she will give a lecture to students and members of the public on global trade issues.

There is also a trip scheduled to Liliesleaf Farm, a site of historical importance in the political struggle against apartheid, followed by a showcase of South African regional products to celebrate World Food Day.

During her trip, Commissioner Malmström will also visit an organic farm managed by a young black female entrepreneur who intends to make use of the EPA to export certified organic agricultural products to Europe.

The Commissioner's speeches from the civil society event and Witwatersrand University will be published here as they become available. There will also be photos and videos made available from Tuesday's visits to the university and the organic farm.

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