PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to depart for France next month to lead a high-stakes international summit on global education standards. The Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa will undertake the working visit from 10 to 12 July 2026, following a formal invitation from UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany.
The President is scheduled to co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris. This committee is tasked with steering global efforts toward inclusive and equitable quality education. The visit will also include the Transforming Education Summit (TES) Stocktake, a critical session designed to assess international progress in education reform.
Beyond the diplomatic boardroom, the visit carries significant historical weight. On 12 July, President Ramaphosa will travel to Longueval to attend the 110th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood. The event serves as a tribute to the South African soldiers who perished during World War I, one of the most significant military engagements in the nation’s history.
The commemoration at the South African Memorial will feature a wreath-laying ceremony and the unveiling of a UNESCO plaque. This new addition marks the memorial’s enduring historical legacy and its recognition on the global stage. Government officials stated that the ceremony is intended to honour the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of those who fought in the 1916 battle.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by a delegation of several Ministers and senior government officials. The mission highlights South Africa’s dual priorities of shaping future global education policy while maintaining its commitment to preserving the memory of its fallen soldiers abroad.
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