Ramaphosa to push for reforms at UN General Assembly

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, with a message for the organisation to implement reforms and be more multilateral and rules-based.

Ramaphosa says the stakes have never been higher as the UN General Assembly convenes under the theme "Accelerating Global Progress Through Intergenerational Collaboration."

Writing in his latest newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said the most serious hindrance to the UN fulfilling its mandate is the structure and operation of the UN Security Council, which is largely controlled by five nations of China, the U-S, France, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Ramaphosa said the UN is struggling to meet its mandate as contained in the UN Charter.

He said the organisation continues to be "hampered by competing national interests" that get in the way of the collective action of all members.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa bemoans the protracted apartheid meted out against Palestinians

Ramaphosa said that despite changes in global power dynamics over the last fifty years, the decision-making architecture that has enabled the five permanent members to have veto powers has not changed since the end of the Second World War.

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

Ramaphosa said when human rights are under threat worldwide - and where geopolitical tensions are creating instability across the globe - advancing multilateralism is more critical than ever.

The presidency said in championing “robust multilateralism”, Ramaphosa will address the General Debate on Tuesday, where he will also share a message from the Global South, which he said is amplified by South Africa’s current role as Chair of the G20.