Question NW2304 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Reply:

South Africa continues to participate in the United Nations General Assembly’s Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on the Security Council, both in its capacity, as a sovereign member state, and as a member of the African Group. South Africa believes that there must be a common acknowledgment, particularly by those member states maintaining the status quo in the Security Council that the international political and economic system remains unequal, unfair and unjust.

South Africa continues to advocate for the urgent reform of the Council, based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which calls for two permanent seats, and five non-permanent seats and the abolishment of the veto. However, for as long as it exists, it is a privilege, which should be extended to all new permanent members.

South Africa has consistently called for text-based negotiations to register progress, especially since there are no negotiations in the IGN. Rather, the IGN has been characterised by the delivery of Group statements and statements made by member states in their national capacities. The Co-Chairs of the IGN developed a Revised Elements Paper on Convergences and Divergences on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters” which has been updated in May 2023 following several rounds of consultation. This document provides a preliminary basis for text-based negotiations. In addition, the IGN has now also established a specific website to act as a repository of the recordings of the webcasts as well as of the letters, decisions, statements of Member States, and other documents related to the IGN process.

In support of the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the Africa We Want, and the continent’s ambition to Silence the Guns, South Africa continues to call for the Council’s urgent reform, and the need to correct the historical injustices committed against the African continent. Our engagement will remain focused on highlighting that, through broad and extensive engagement, underpinned by the spirit of multilateralism, dialogue and negotiation, member states can find pathways to convergence. South Africa will emphasise that political divergences should not be the reason for holding back progress.