Address by Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe on the occasion of the Commemoration of UN Day, 25 October 2007, Diplomatic Guest House, Pretoria

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa, Mrs Scholastica Sylvan Kimaryo;
The Dean and other distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
The Heads and representatives of International Organizations in South Africa;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Introduction

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to address you this afternoon, as we gather to commemorate UN Day, which was on Wednesday 24 October 2007. Scheduling difficulties made it difficult for us to celebrate yesterday. We therefore chose to host you today, in order to accord our UN Day celebrations the status and high profile that this annual event so justly deserves.

Let me begin by warmly thanking the UN Country Team in South Africa and the representatives of regional UN offices based in South Africa for their efforts to promote and add value to Government’s development priorities, both domestic and in the region.

This year, we commemorate the founding of the UN 62 years ago. It is an opportunity to reflect on what the UN means to all of us, the value of the work that it does and the relevance of the global mission that has been bestowed upon that Organization by its Charter. The Preamble to the Charter puts it so elegantly this way:

“We the peoples of the United Nations

Determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and

to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations, large and small, and

to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and

to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

“And for these ends

to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and

to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and

to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and

to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

“Have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims”

Why we commemorate UN Day

Despite the fact that our world is very different from the way it was in 1945, the purpose and principles of the UN, as enshrined in its Charter, remain as important, as relevant and as urgent today as when they were formulated 62 years ago.

It is appropriate, therefore, that we should commemorate UN Day! Indeed, for us, a strong and effective UN is central to South Africa’s vision of a better quality of life for all – a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world, one which is based on an equitable, democratic and just international order that is conducive to peace, security, sustainable development and prosperity.

This is not to say that the track record of the UN has been perfect. Far from it, as any student of modern history would know. Before being too quick off the mark to point fingers at the UN, however, we would do well to remember that its failures are, in fact, our own failures, as the UN is a membership organization of sovereign Member States. We share collective responsibility when the UN does not succeed. I remain convinced, however, that inasmuch as the founders of the UN sought to prevent the world from slipping again into the horrors of another devastating world war, there can be no doubt that had it not been for the UN, our world would have been far worse off than it actually is today. Here, I speak from our own very tangible experience: We in South Africa won our hard-earned freedom from oppression as a direct result of the unrelenting, combined efforts and support of the UN family and the global partnership against apartheid that the Organization rallied together.

Development aspirations for the 21 st Century

As far as South Africa’s development aspirations for the 21 st Century are concerned, we believe that the UN system is the ‘gateway’ for achieving our vision of equality, justice, harmony and meaningful dialogue among nations. The UN is an indispensable partner in the development of the continent of Africa and the development agenda of the countries of the South as a whole.

As part of its own process of change and reform, the UN system has also served as the rallying point for the generation of a new vision for humanity in the 21 st Century. In September 2000, world leaders gathered in New York to adopt and embrace a new common vision, in the form of the Millennium Declaration, which identified fundamental values that were essential to international relations in the 21 st Century. On this occasion, world leaders also undertook to meet the special needs of Africa, in an acknowledgement that the continent itself does not have sufficient resources to address all of the challenges facing it. This accorded well with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which seeks to build international partnerships in support of Africa’s own initiatives at development.

The UN, therefore, has a critical role to play in promoting international development co-operation for the successful realization of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were encapsulated in the Millennium Declaration and the subsequent World Summit Outcome of 2005. Even though real progress has been difficult and often painfully slow, the MDGs have given us a valuable framework within which to strive and work towards global development.

A development emergency

 In his address to the UN on 31 July 2007, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown appropriately described the progress towards meeting the MDGs by the target date of 2015 “ a development emergency which needs emergency action.”

We are indeed facing a development emergency, one of global proportions at that. Yes, this calls for emergency action, on a comprehensive scale. It is now time to move beyond the making of promises and to implement them. The Achilles Heel of the current state of the international partnership for development is the need for implementation of all of the commitments that have been made.

Experts are generally in agreement that Africa as a whole, and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, will not meet the MDGs by the 2015 target date. The nature of our emergency is such that if Africa fails to achieve the MDGs, the world as a whole fails to achieve them. This would undermine the very purpose of the world’s leaders coming together at the Millennium Summit to adopt such global objectives in the first place. The nature of our emergency is such that the quality of life of a billion people who seek to escape the misery of underdevelopment, poverty, disease and illiteracy, is at stake. The sad reality today is that many of the developed countries lack the political will to implement their commitments. The same global leaders who gathered to adopt the historic Millennium Declaration in 2000 still have a once-in-a-generation chance to help achieve these noble objectives – but emergency action is now required.

As we commemorate UN Day, let us reflect on what it is that we look to the UN to deliver. Africa has called 21 st Century the African Century. This calls for a transformation of the UN and its organs to hear the voices of the modern world and all its peoples.

An African renewal

Despite considerable weaknesses, obstacles and challenges, a major transformation process is taking place on the African continent, one that is anchored in key principles of African ownership and leadership, self-reliance and a new partnership between the developed and developing world that is based on mutual respect, responsibility and accountability. The adoption of the development and reconstruction programme of the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), represented a collective affirmation by Africa of a shared vision, a pledge by the leaders of the continent to pro-actively place African countries, both individually and collectively, on a path towards rapid sustainable economic growth and development.

In this context, Africa is currently engaged in its own fundamental renewal process. The UN system has an important role to play in promoting the realization of the African Renaissance in support of an Africa-owned and Africa-led era of accelerated development.

It is important to underscore the importance of Africa finding solutions to African problems. This is not to say that Africa can afford or should “go it alone”. Rather, an international partnership is necessary to promote solutions that are appropriate and timely. Africa looks to its partners to help build capacity and contribute the additional resources that are required to establish a far-reaching framework for peace, security and sustainable development on the continent.

South Africa ’s non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council

This year, South Africa was privileged to take up a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. South Africa will serve in this capacity for a two-year term. South Africa’s election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member has accorded us the privilege and honour of serving the rest of the continent and the international community in the search for peace, stability and a secure environment.

As Africa takes charge of its destiny and undertakes to make considerable efforts to promote peace, stability and development on the continent, we ask the international community to lend its renewed and determined support. Today, more than ever before, the UN system is the vehicle that presents us with the collective opportunity to ensure that the international partnership for development is translated into practical and tangible programmes that promote real transformation in the lives of poor people across the world.

Reforming the UN, and especially the Security Council, is crucial and remains an important priority in South Africa’s foreign policy. The UN and its organs should embody the ideals that is espouses and as contained in its charter.

In his address at the opening of the 62 nd Session of the UN General Assembly, President Mbeki noted that, although the concepts of freedom, justice and equality are universal and have been embraced by the UN, the institutional framework of the organisation itself is not consistent with these ideals. He said:

“Because the nations of the world are defined by the dominant and the dominated, the dominant have also become the decision makers in the important global forums, including at this seat of global governance. Accordingly, the skewed distribution of power in the world, political, economic, military, technological and social, replicates itself in multilateral institutions, much to the disadvantage of the majority of the poor people of the world.”

President Mbeki went on to say that the UN can and does correctly identify problems and appropriate solutions necessary to make the world a better place for all for humanity. The poor of this world therefore see the UN as the natural instrument that would help accelerate the process of change for the better.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be able to highlight today a number of initiatives that bear testimony to the ongoing strategic partnership between the UN system and South Africa. The first of these concerns the operational activities of the UN Country Team.

The UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)

Those who were able to join us last year when we commemorated UN Day, may recall that we held a brief signing ceremony for the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) which was based on a joint assessment between the UN Country Team and the South African Government of the situation in our country, the needs that should be addressed and Government priorities in this regard. Implementation of the new UNDAF, which will inform UN operations in South Africa through until the end of 2010, started on 1 January this year.

Government appreciates the fact that the UN Country Team has organised itself around the five clusters in which Government is organised, in order to ensure optimum delivery and add value to the priorities of Government that the UN system seeks to address . Government also welcomes the fact that the UNDAF corresponds to the Vision 2014 programme and Government's Plan of Action for addressing key developmental challenges into the second decade of South Africa's democracy.

Our government is pleased with the outcome of the UNDAF process. The acknowledgement by the UN that it is the South African Government's prerogative to take the leadership role in this process and “own” it, broke new ground for both the UN system and for Government, as n ational leadership and national ownership of such processes are of critical importance.

Preparations for the first annual review of the new UNDAF, to assess the first full year of its implementation, will begin shortly. In keeping with the principle of national ownership, the UNDAF review, which will take place in early 2008, will take the form of a strategic assessment of the value that the UN system is adding to Government’s development priorities and determine any amendments that may need to be taken on board.

The Host Country Agreement with the UNDP Regional Services Centre

As you are aware, the UNDP established a Regional Services Centre (RSC) in Sunninghill, Johannesburg in 2004. A number of UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies have since also placed regional representatives at the RSC – and we are glad to see a number of representatives from the Sunninghill offices here with us today. Since the establishment of the RSC the UNDP and Government have been engaged in extensive negotiations towards the finalization of a host country agreement to cover the personnel and operations of the RSC. I am proud to share with you that this process was recently completed and the Minister of Foreign, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, during her recent visit to New York to attend the opening and General Debate of the 62 nd session of the UN General Assembly, signed the host country agreement together with the UNDP Administrator, Mr Kemal Dervis, on 1 October. You will notice the photographs taken at this event, which are on display today. This is further evidence of the growing and solidifying relationship between South Africa and the UN family.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are two exciting developments that concern the future consolidation of the relationship between the UN system and South Africa, which I am pleased to be able to highlight for you today.

A joint evaluation of the UN in South Africa

The first concerns a unique effort to determine what should be the optimum nature of the strategic relationship between South Africa and the UN system. I am pleased to announce that a country-level evaluation will shortly be conducted jointly by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) and Government, in order to evaluate the contribution made by the UN system in South Africa. This will be a “first” for the UN System. Government is a full partner in this evaluation. Key structures have been put in place on both sides, with a view to managing the evaluation process and the implementation of its outcomes.

The South African Government has already transferred its half share of the estimated costs of the evaluation to UN Headquarters in New York, which amounts to US$ 157 575, 00 (or over R1.1 million).

I am pleased to announce that the former Auditor-General of South Africa, Mr. Shauket Fakie, has agreed to be the evaluation team leader. Mr. Fakie is uniquely placed to lead the evaluation process, given his experience of both South Africa and the UN system, when he served as an External Auditor to the UN System during his tenure as South African Auditor-General. The joint evaluation will be launched shortly, once a few administrative matters have been finalized.

The joint evaluation will be forward-looking and is expected to help identify the best and most appropriate model for the strategic relationship between Government and the UN system in future, possibly even including opportunities for co-operation in the region. Without pre-empting the outcome, Government is excited about this joint evaluation, which we expect will help ensure that the operations of the UN system in South Africa and the region will remain relevant and effective.

The second exciting development concerns the construction of a new, state-of-the-art “UN House” in Pretoria.

A new “UN House”

 Our government currently provides office accommodation in Pretoria for the UN family, in keeping with standard international practice. However, this accommodation is no longer adequate.

So the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Public Works have been investigating options to provide permanent office accommodation for the UN family in Pretoria. I am pleased to announce that Government has started implementation of an exciting new project to develop a new “UN House” which will accommodate all of the UN family in Pretoria.

As part of its commitment to the UN system, Government has initiated this project to provide the best possible accommodation for the South Africa Country Offices of the UN.

A visual display of some of the elements of this exciting project, South Africa’s new “UN House”, is available here today to give you some idea of what is to come. However, I have to warn that this is merely an artist’s impression and the final product could probably look quite different. This project represents in very practical terms, Government’s commitment to the effective functioning of the UN family in South Africa and what might be expected of it in future. The construction of a new state-of-the-art “UN House” in South Africa bears testimony to Government’s ongoing commitment to see a strong and effective UN Country Team, as a key driver of change and renewal of the UN system at both the operational level in South Africa as well as at the regional level on the continent.

A toast to the United Nations

On a personal note to the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Scholastica Kimaryo, please allow me to warmly congratulate you on your recent promotion to the newly created position of Deputy UNDP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, based at the UNDP Regional Services Centre in Johannesburg. It is feather in your cap and a source of inspiration to the Government that the valuable work you have done in South Africa and your achievements in this country over the almost three years of your tenure as Resident Coordinator, has not passed unnoticed by the top echelons in the UNDP. While we understand that the appointment is ad interim, it is our sincere hope that this appointment will be confirmed in the not too distant future. In your new capacity, I understand that you will be responsible for 23 countries in the region. More countries on the continent would therefore have the benefit of your strong leadership and proven strategic vision. I know that we can count on you to help strengthen the valuable contribution that the UN system is making in the region and we look forward to working with you in support of South Africa’s foreign policy priorities in the area of regional co-operation and integration.

On 13 October 2006, Secretary-General-elect Ban Ki-moon stood before the UN General Assembly and pledged to ensure that the UN would make a difference in building a better future for all humanity. He said:

“I earnestly hope that the young boys and girls of today will grow up knowing that the United Nations is working hard to build a better future for them. As Secretary-General, I will embrace their hopes and hear their appeals. I am an optimist, and I am full of hope about the future of our global Organization. Let us work together for a United Nations that can deliver more and better”

Friends of the UN,

The role and purpose of the UN has never been as important as it is now. Since we only set aside one day of the year to commemorate UN Day, let us raise our glasses and pay special tribute to the work of an Organization that is sometimes taken for granted. Allow me, therefore, on behalf of the South African Government, to congratulate the 17 UN agencies that make up the UN Country Team in South Africa, as we commemorate UN Day. On this important occasion, w e join with many nations around the world in recognizing the achievements of the UN family and reaffirming our ongoing support for the important work of the UN system in overcoming the challenges that face humanity. Let us all work together to fulfil our commitments through a UN that can deliver “more and better” – especially for those who need it most. The United Nations!

I thank you.