Ahead of his participation in a meeting in New York on a two-State solution in the Middle East, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the UN to actively enforce international law and human rights standards for all, and not the select few.

Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that if the global, rules-based system is to have practical meaning, the UN must exercise its leadership role in global governance.

The President has arrived in the US, where he is expected to lead a South African delegation during a High-Level Segment of the Eightieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The high-level segment will take place from Tuesday till next Monday.

He acknowledged that the UN is struggling to meet its mandate as contained in the UN Charter.

“It continues to be hampered by competing national interests that impede collective action. There is a lack of political will among member states to address many challenges, including the chronic underfunding of peacekeeping operations.

“But by far the most serious hindrance to the UN fulfilling its mandate is the structure and operation of the UN Security Council,” he explained.

He said despite changes in global power relations over more than half a century, the decision-making architecture that has enabled the five permanent members to have veto powers has not changed since the end of World War Two.

He highlighted that these five permanent members effectively make decisions on behalf of more than 85% of the world’s population living in countries of the Global South.

“They continue to use their veto powers to effectively paralyse collective action and prevent timely responses to crises, even in the face of clear violations of international law,” he explained.

Ramaphosa pointed out that South Africa has been consistent in its calls for UN Security Council reform and for it to better reflect global realities, noting that the current composition of the UN Security Council and its record of decisions seriously undermine the spirit of global cooperation and weaken the UN’s commitment to neutrality and its legitimacy.

“Efforts at reform, such as proposals to expand the permanent membership of the Security Council, improving regional representation, and restricting the use of the veto, have stalled and must be reinvigorated with urgency,” he highlighted.

Ramaphosa said that at a time of widespread poverty and underdevelopment, when human rights are under threat worldwide and where geopolitical tensions are creating instability across the globe, advancing multilateralism is more critical than ever.

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Meanwhile, on Monday Ramaphosa is due to participate in a two-State solution high-level meeting, which will reaffirm international commitments to the two-State solution in Israel/Palestine and seek to mobilize support for its implementation.

The meeting will be convened and co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Al Saud. 

In championing robust multilateralism, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the unwavering protection of human rights for all, Ramaphosa will address the general debate on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa will also carry a message from the Global South, amplified by South Africa’s current role as Chair of the G20.

“These segments provides an opportunity for the President to engage on urgent international issues, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, conflicts in Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo and the war in Ukraine, and other geopolitical tensions.

“South Africa will leverage its proven reputation as a trusted mediator to build bridges between opposing sides and advocate for dialogue over discord,” explained Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.

Magwenya said on Wednesday, the President will also participate in the Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, convened and chaired by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

He explained that the forum provides an opportunity for leaders to assess progress, and advance practical solutions to mobilise global resources and strengthen global economic governance in support of the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He noted that building on its G20 mandate to shape global economic solutions, South Africa will argue forcefully for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global economy.

The delegation will spotlight the disproportionate impact of current global challenges on developing nations and push for enhanced international cooperation to achieve the SDGs.

Ramaphosa will also participate in a Special High-level Event on Climate Action to be convened and co-chaired by Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.