Agenda for the United Nations Security Council to add more to South Africa’s strong reputation and track record as a Progressive Agent of Change and the pursuit of an Effective and Equitable System of Global Governance in Africa

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: NO. 12

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 OF 23 FEBRUARY 2010

Mr HT Magama (ANC) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

1. What agenda does she have for the United Nations Security Council to continue to add more to South Africa’s strong reputation and track record as a progressive agent of change and the pursuit of an effective and equitable system of global governance in Africa?

Should South Africa by elected as a non permanent member of the UNSCS for a second term in 2011-2012, we will endeavour to utilise this membership by working together with the international community in finding sustainable and innovative interactions that will contribute to socio-economic development, enhanced stability, peace and security in the world. In this regard South Africa will play an active role in the activities of the Security Council committees, working groups, commissions and other structures.

South Africa will equally seek to be part of the initiatives of the international community in promoting multilateralism and the respect for international law after a decade of unilateralism.  Our country’s activities in pursuit of this objective will of necessity also require of us to continue striving for democratic and effective global governance.

Through our participation on the UNSC, we will advance the African Agenda and champion the cause of Africa in the area of peace and security. We will also work together with other representatives of Africa on the UNSC (Nigeria and Gabon) to elevate the African agenda of achieving peace, security and development. South Africa will also continue to try to bring greater alignment to the work of the Security Council and that of the AU, especially the AU Peace and Security Council, which South Africa is currently a member.  This would be a continuation of South Africa’s firm resolve of strengthening effective partnerships between the UN and regional organisations, in particular the African Union in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as the intensification of the work South Africa had already undertaken in conflict prevention, resolution, management and post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding in African countries such as Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, the DRC and elsewhere.

In its efforts to enhance international cooperation within the international community South Africa will also forge partnerships with Council and non-Council members from across the so-called North-South divide on important socio-economic developmental matters, as well as security sector reform, small arms, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.

South Africa will pursue a strategy premised on engendering a robust paradigm shift with regard to the manner in which the maintenance of international peace and security is considered and dealt with in the Security Council.  In this connection South Africa will strive for an inclusive approach incorporating socio-economic development and poverty alleviation as integral parts of efforts to maintain international peace and security.

A second aspect of the country’s strategy will entail promoting a culture of collective responsibility and collective responses in dealing with challenges of the contemporary world.  South Africa will underscore and strive for enhanced Security Council cooperation with regional bodies and other relevant institutions in the realization of its mandate.

Thirdly, South Africa will pursue a strategy that will impress upon the Security Council to play a more meaningful and decisive role in taking forward the reform, revitalization and strengthening of the United Nations.  Particular focus in this regard will be on the Security Council taking into consideration the various proposals on the table regarding the reform of this important organ of the United Nations.  South Africa will also work with other like-minded member states towards improving the working methods of the Security Council to make it a more legitimate, representative and effective body in order to make it more transparent and accountable.

The envisaged strategy will also take into consideration inputs from other role players like the AU which will be consulted at a later stage.  This will present the continent with an opportunity to entrust South Africa with the unique responsibility of championing its aspirations through its membership of the Security Council.