Ramaphosa seeks UNSC reform to address modern-day challenges

The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has submitted that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) need to be reformed to address the world’s modern day challenges.

Ramaphosa who stated this during the Summit of the Future Plenary Session at the United Nations General Assembly in United States on Monday said, the UNSC as it is currently structured does not represent all and not consider the voices and viewpoints of all the countries of the world.

According to him, “The Summit is an opportunity to make good on our promises to reform the global governance architecture, including international financial institutions and the United Nations Security Council.
“Seventy years since its founding, the structure of the UNSC remains largely unchanged. It is clearly no longer fit and adequate to address our modern-day challenges.

“We live in a world where the threats and risks to international peace and security multi- faceted, complex and ever evolving. Placing the fate of the world’s security in the hands of a select few when it is the vast majority who bear the brunt of these threats is unjust, unfair and unsustainable.

“The UN Security Council as it is currently structured does not represent all and does not consider the voices and viewpoints of all the countries of the world. We need to make these institutions more representative of the current membership of the United Nations.
“We need to make them more inclusive of the diversity of views on this planet. We agree with the UN Secretary-General that Summit of the Future is a ‘once-in-a- generation’ opportunity to forge global consensus and make progress on priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We must reflect on the effectiveness of the United Nations. We need to ensure that the UN is able to address contemporary, future challenges, both the known and anticipated, and to build resilience for the unknown. This will ensure that the organisation remains relevant for future generations”, he said.

Relating to African countries, the South African President said the Summit must focus on global action in support of the continent’s developmental agenda, Agenda 2063, also embodies the aspirations of the African people and clearly articulates the type of Africa that Africans want.
“To be meaningful, this Summit of the Future should reinforce the work towards ending poverty and realising the fundamental right to development. It must accelerate our collective efforts to advance development, peace and security, and human rights”, Ramaphosa added.

He noted that the believes of South Africans is the Pact Of the Future that is build on existing commitments in line with the UN 2030 Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063, adding that these are complemented in the Pact by new commitments and actions.

“A key element of the Pact of the Future is working towards a New Agenda for Peace. This must involve strengthening multilateral action for sustained peace. The United Nations was created to save future generations from the scourge of war.

“Yet, armed conflict persists. More civilians continue to die. Women and children in particular continue to be adversely affected by conflict. There must be a reinforced focus on mediation and the political settlements of disputes. We must pursue the attainment of just and sustainable peace based on international law”, he said.
Speaking further, Ramaphosa said the Summit of the Future should encourage the countries to do things differently. “We must make a positive impact on the lives of the people of this planet. We must transform international systems of power, governance, finance, debt, trade and technology so that they work for all countries.

Adding that, “No one must be left out. No one must be left behind. The Pact for the Future must be inclusive. It must be a global commitment that represents the views, concerns and interests of the Global South. It must build on existing obligations”.

He said South Africa welcomes the extensive consultation that has taken place to prepare for the Summit while called to reflect on the world’s common challenges, “and in doing so, ensure that the views of all sectors of society, including women and youth, are considered.

“Now is the time to recommit to adopting concrete actions to protect the needs and interests of present and future generations. We leave this Summit with a more ambitious, clearer and concrete call to action to build a world for future generations that is in a far better state than in which we found it”, South African President concluded.