On October 27, 2023, Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa Maksym Subkh received copies of the credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Ukraine Shoayb Casoo.

The interlocutors commended the level of political dialogue between the two states, which has been enhanced recently, and discussed ways to intensify bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, information, humanitarian, and educational spheres.

The Ukrainian diplomat thanked the Republic of South Africa for its leading role in carrying out the mediation visit of the group of African presidents to Kyiv in June 2023.

In the context of implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula, Maksym Subkh welcomed the consistent participation of the South African delegation in meetings at the level of national security advisers.

The Special Representative emphasized the need to restore unhindered operation of the Black Sea Grain Corridor to export Ukrainian grain to the countries of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. He also called on the Republic of South Africa, as a regional leader, to pressure Russia to ensure immediate unblocking of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea Grain Corridor, which directly impacts international food security, primarily in Africa.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side called on the Republic of South Africa to join the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at significantly increasing food supplies to the countries of Africa and Asia in order to provide aid to the countries that suffer the most from hunger.

The Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa wished success to Shoayb Casoo in performing his duties as Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Ukraine, facilitating the deepening of the partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of South Africa in various fields.