President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a powerful address at the G20 summit in Brazil, calling for a new era of principled multi-lateralism and respect for international law. In his speech, he emphasized the need for all member states to comply with the principles of the UN Charter and international law, stating that there can be no exceptions and no country is immune from these obligations.
As South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil, Ramaphosa highlighted the country’s intention to use this platform to advocate for the reform of multilateral institutions, with a particular focus on the UN Security Council. He stressed the importance of the United Nations remaining the anchor of the multilateral order, especially in addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, poverty, and conflicts in various regions.
Ramaphosa called for a renewed commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing the need for more robust multilateralism to address challenges like the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the respect for the principle of self-determination. He also spoke out in support of the Palestinian cause, urging the G20 to work towards ending the violence in Gaza and promoting a just and lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.
The President also highlighted the need for the UN to counter war crimes, including the weaponization of famine, which South Africa has accused Israel of doing in Gaza. He called for the international community to stand against such atrocities and ensure the protection of human rights in conflict zones like Sudan, where famine has taken hold in displacement camps.
Ramaphosa’s speech comes at a critical time, with Russia recently vetoing a UN Security Council resolution on Sudan, further underscoring the urgent need for reform in global governance institutions. South Africa is actively campaigning for at least two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, with full veto rights, and five non-permanent seats. The country aims to garner support from powerful nations in the G20 for this initiative.
In addition to advocating for Security Council reform, Ramaphosa also called for the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to create a fairer trading system for developing nations. He emphasized the importance of setting more ambitious targets for grants and concessional financing, particularly for developing economies in Africa.
Overall, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address at the G20 summit underscores the need for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law, and the promotion of peace, security, and human rights on a global scale. His call for reform in key global institutions reflects South Africa’s commitment to ensuring a more inclusive and representative world order that addresses the needs of all nations and peoples.
