CAPE TOWN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) — South Africa will continue to raise concern regarding the strength of the institutions of global governance, including the United Nations (UN), specifically the Security Council, the Presidency said on Saturday.
The Presidency issued the statement as President Jacob Zuma arrived in New York to attend the General Debate of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA71).
The General Debate presents an opportunity for member states to take stock of the effectiveness of the UN, and it is expected that member states will use the General Debate to chart a way forward to improve the organisation’s efficiency and relevance by making it more democratic, responsive and transparent.
Deliberations are expected to focus on UN reform, including on the revitalization of the UNGA, improvement of the work of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and most importantly, the substantive reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
“South Africa will use the opportunity to communicate progress made towards achieving Africa’s development, including the industrialization and regional integration drives, with the aim of achieving a better life for South Africans and all in the continent,” said presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga.
A high-level meeting of the Plenary of the General Assembly on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants will also be held on the margins of the General Debate.
This is the first time that the General Assembly will be holding a summit on large movements of refugees and migrants, and it is a historic opportunity to develop an international response to this challenge, Ngqulunga said.
“The meeting is particularly important for South Africa, as the African continent is one of the most affected regions experiencing large movement of refugees and migrants,” added the spokesperson
