President Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for a new era of principled multilateralism and respect for international law in his speech at the G20 Summit in Brazil.
In his remarks to the Working Group on the Reform of World Governance Institutions, he said a renewed commitment to the United Nations Charter was needed.
“All member states must abide by their principles and international law. There can be no exceptions and no country is exempt from these obligations. We are all bound by the same rules.” said Mr Ramaphosa.
South Africa is prepared to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil and intends to use it as a platform to campaign for reform of multilateral institutions, particularly the UN Security Council.
He stressed, as he has repeatedly done in recent months, that the United Nations must remain a pillar of the multilateral order as the world grapples with climate change, poverty and conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere.
“The United Nations must take the lead in promoting peace and security, tackling poverty and development, and protecting human rights,” he said.
“Meeting these challenges requires stronger multilateralism and a renewed commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.”
Ramaphosa stressed that he called for peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for the principle of self-determination.
He then spoke directly about South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause, which has been at the center of its foreign policy, and said the G20 has an obligation to work to end the war in Gaza.
“The Palestinian people are denied their right to self-determination and are under the yoke of a brutal and violent occupation.
“As a group of G20, we must use our voices to ensure an end to the genocide in Gaza and work towards a just and lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. .”
He added that it was critical that the United Nations be able to combat war crimes, including the weaponization of hunger, which South Africa has accused Israel of committing in Gaza in documents filed with the International Court of Justice.
“We must be able to counter the use of hunger as a weapon of war, as we are currently seeing in some parts of the world, including Gaza and Sudan.”
Russia on Monday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution calling on Sudan's warring parties to immediately cease hostilities and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid.
Sudan is facing the world's worst displacement crisis caused by conflict between the military and paramilitary emergency support forces, with UN figures showing that 25 million people are now being displaced as starvation takes hold in camps. people need food assistance.
All other Council members supported the document drafted by the UK and Sierra Leone.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Moscow's stance disgraceful and asked: “How many more women will have to be raped?” How many more children will have to be fed before Russia takes action? ”
South Africa is campaigning for at least two permanent African seats and five non-permanent seats with full veto power on the Security Council, and is seeking support from the leading G20 countries in this regard. We plan to carry out lobbying activities.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola raised the issue with Mr Lamy during talks in Cape Town earlier this month.
In September, the United States said it supported giving the continent two permanent seats, but no veto power.
President Ramaphosa accused the Security Council of failing in its mandate, with “disastrous consequences for the African continent and the Global South,” adding that the United Nations, like other multilateral institutions, does not reflect world opinion. He said that reform of the Security Council with a veto over Africa is urgent. Just like 70 years ago.
“These institutions need to be inclusive and representative, just as we ask the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council to be inclusive and not exclude others,” he said. said on Monday.
“You have to be able to meet everyone's needs under all circumstances.”
He added a call for reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to create a fairer system for developing countries.
“I would like to call on the WTO to move towards reform so that the global trading system is fair for all,” he said. “The global financial system must be fit for purpose.
“More ambitious targets need to be set for subsidies and concessional financing, including special drawing rights that must be available to many developing economies, including those on the African continent. Masu.”
