South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a powerful call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing that the current structure is no longer capable of addressing the complex and evolving global challenges. Speaking on Sunday, Ramaphosa described the Security Council’s framework as “unjust and unsustainable,” criticizing the disproportionate influence of a few powerful nations over global security matters. He pointed out that while a small group controls decisions, the vast majority of countries bear the brunt of conflicts, crises, and security threats.
Ramaphosa highlighted ongoing global issues such as wars, political conflicts, and the escalating climate crisis, arguing that the Security Council’s failure to reflect the perspectives of all nations has led to an ineffective response to these problems. He stated that the council’s current composition is out of touch with contemporary realities and does not accommodate the voices of developing nations, particularly those from Africa.
Ramaphosa viewed the adoption of the Pact for the Future by the General Assembly as a key moment for revitalizing multilateralism. He emphasized that the pact represents a crucial opportunity to fulfill long-standing promises to reform global governance structures, particularly the Security Council and international financial institutions, to ensure they better reflect today’s global landscape.
Additionally, Ramaphosa underscored the importance of supporting Africa’s developmental vision, particularly Agenda 2063, which aims to achieve significant social and economic progress for the continent by 2063. He called on world leaders to prioritize Africa’s development in any future global governance reforms, noting that the continent’s growing role in the international community deserves fair representation.
The South African president also stressed that the Pact for the Future must focus on strengthening collective action for achieving sustainable and just peace. He highlighted the need for international law to be the foundation of peace efforts and urged the global community to work together to establish a security framework that benefits all nations, not just a select few.
In addition to his calls for reform, Ramaphosa referenced a legal case his government brought to the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide during its military actions in Gaza since October 7 last year. He noted that this case highlights the need for a more equitable and inclusive international system that holds all nations accountable under international law. Ramaphosa’s speech reflects growing demands for a reformed multilateral system that acknowledges the needs of all regions, especially Africa, in shaping global security and governance.