Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya will tomorrow, 14 September 2023, host a media briefing to update the public on the President’s public programme.

Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date:  Thursday, 14 September 2023
Time:  13:30 (Media to arrive at 13:00)
Venue:  Room 159, Union Buildings, Pretoria 
 
RSVP: Members of the media wishing to attend the media briefing in person are requested to submit their details to Shadi Baloyi on shadi@presidency.gov.za or 072 571 6415 by 12h00 on 14 September 2023

Media following remotely can text their questions to 072 571 6415, the media briefing will be streamed live and the link will be shared prior. 
 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@enquires.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis,
UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres,
Your Excellencies,

We have witnessed with increasing alarm the effects of climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable production and resource scarcity on human health and well-being. 

As countries across the globe seek practical ways to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple crises, we are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to set the global economy on a more equitable, environmentally sustainable and low-carbon developmental trajectory.

Despite having little responsibility for causing global warming, Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world. Like other parts of the Global South, the continent is significantly affected by climate change. 

As such, climate actions cannot be separated from the drive for sustainable and inclusive development. 

The science sends a clear message that the world is not on track to meet the goals contained in the Paris Agreement.  

This Climate Ambition Summit must therefore instill the necessary urgency and propel the actions that we need now to prevent the destruction of our planet and the devastation of our societies. 

Developed economy countries in particular must act with urgency to accelerate the reduction of emissions, fulfil their obligations and honour past promises.

Earlier this month, African leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action, which recognises that decarbonising the global economy is an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity.

To achieve this vision of economic transformation, African leaders have called on the international community to support efforts to massively increase Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030.

They are seeking investment in smart, digital and efficient green technologies to decarbonise the transport, industrial and electricity sectors in African countries.

They have called for support to strengthen actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, deforestation and desertification. And to boost agricultural yields through sustainable agricultural practices.

Structural reform is needed to promote transitions that are just and inclusive.

Global and regional trade mechanisms must enable products from Africa to compete on fair and equitable terms. Trade-related environmental tariffs and non-tariff barriers must be the product of multilateral agreements. They must not be unilateral, arbitrary or discriminatory.

The multilateral financial system must build resilience to climate shocks and better leverage the balance sheets of multilateral development banks to scale up concessional finance. Developing economy countries also require new, predictable public finance to support climate adaptation and build resilience to loss and damage.

The system needs to provide interventions for debt management and relief to prevent debt default. The actions necessary now must not place an undue burden on the citizens of tomorrow.

Financing for climate action should respect the right of all countries to pursue their own development pathways while taking into account their specific national circumstances.

As South Africa implements its ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement temperature goals, we see new opportunities for green growth and development.

With abundant solar and wind resources, with significant reserves of critical minerals, South Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industrialisation.

Due to regulatory changes and a surge of investment, South Africa has a confirmed pipeline of renewable energy projects in development that are expected to produce in excess of 10 gigawatts of electricity. 

South Africa has established a Just Transition Framework to ensure that climate actions adhere to principles of procedural, restorative and distributive justice.

We are committed to building resilience to the impact of climate change and reducing our emissions in ways that are appropriate to our national circumstances and development pathways.

As South Africa, and as the African continent, we are working to give substance to our assertion that no country should ever have to choose between development aspirations and climate action.

This Summit must demonstrate that the leaders of the world are committed to to ambitious climate actions that are inclusive, comprehensive and leave no one behind.
    
I thank you.

President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis,
UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres,
Your Excellencies,

Humanity is confronted with the convergence of a climate crisis, recession, increasing conflict, environmental degradation, rising food insecurity, deepening poverty and unacceptable levels of hunger.

When the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was agreed upon, the overarching principle was that the most vulnerable would receive the support they needed.

Yet, at a time when solidarity was needed most, agreed international commitments were not honoured. Principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities are not being respected.

Four decades since the right to development was established by the United Nations as a human right, the failure to act on commitments to support development is deepening the divide between the global north and south. 

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda provides concrete plans for supporting development and we again call on our partners to support these plans. 

We welcome numerous initiatives to assist the most pressing needs of countries in dire stress. These include the Food Shock Window, Resilience and Sustainability Trust and the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment.

However, sustainable and inclusive growth requires that more be done. 

We must strengthen and reform the international financial architecture. 

Developing economy countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic order.

The mandates of multilateral development banks must be reframed to respond to the needs of developing economies. 

We must assert the principle of country ownership. 

Multilateral development banks should support projects and programmes that are aligned to the development priorities and climate commitments of these countries.

The international tax system must reflect the diverse needs and capacities of both developed and developing economies. 

More innovation is required to enable the private sector to play a greater role in addressing the finance gap. This includes a new approach to blended finance with a focus on the developmental impact of investments. 

Credit ratings of developing economies, and African economies in particular, need to be based on economic fundamentals and not on subjective assessments. 

Public finance is critical for development. 

Developed economy countries need to fulfil their commitment to contribute at least 0.7 percent of their Gross National Income towards Official Development Assistance. They also need to fulfil their commitment to mobilise 100 billion dollars a year to tackle climate change. 

As South Africa, we therefore welcome the recommended actions contained in Secretary-General’s Report on ‘Our Common Agenda’.

In the interests of our common progress and the survival and prosperity of future generations, we must act now.

South Africa encourages all world leaders, global institutions and private sector partners to work together to address the current crises, close the finance divide, reduce inequality, eradicate poverty and make sure that no-one is left behind.

I thank you.

President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Dennis Francis, 
United Nations Secretary-General Mr António Guterres,
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Seventy-eight years ago, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the nations of the world made a solemn commitment to save future generations from the horror and the suffering of war.

Through the United Nations Charter these nations accepted a shared mandate to foster peace and to promote fundamental human rights, social progress and a better standard of life for all. 

And yet, as we gather here, much of humanity is confronted by war and conflict, by want and hunger, by disease and environmental disaster.

Solidarity and trust between states is being eroded. 

Inequality, poverty and unemployment are deepening.

In these conditions and in the wake of a devastating global pandemic, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals seem increasingly remote.

At the moment when every human effort should be directed towards the realisation of Agenda 2030, our attention and our energies have once again been diverted by the scourge of war.

But these woes, these divisions, these seemingly intractable troubles, can and must be overcome.

Over millennia, the human race has demonstrated an enormous capacity for resilience, adaptation, innovation, compassion and solidarity.

At this moment, we are all called upon to reaffirm these essential qualities that define our common humanity.

These qualities must be evident in how we work together as a global community and as nations to end war and conflict.

Democratic South Africa has consistently advocated for dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy to prevent and end conflict and achieve lasting peace. 

It has committed itself to the promotion of human rights, human dignity, justice, democracy and adherence to international law. 

From the experience of our own journey from apartheid to democracy, we value the importance of engaging all parties to conflicts to achieve peaceful, just and enduring resolutions. 

It is these principles that inform South Africa’s participation in the African Peace Initiative, which seeks a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

In this conflict, as in all conflicts, we have insisted that the UN Charter’s principle of respect for the territorial integrity of every country should be upheld.

Our participation in the African Peace Initiative is informed by a desire to see an end to the suffering of those most directly affected by the conflict and the millions on our continent and across the world who, as a result of the conflict, are now vulnerable to worsening hunger and deprivation.

As the international community, we must do everything within our means to enable meaningful dialogue, just as we should refrain from any actions that fuel the conflict.

As we confront other conflicts in several parts of the world, including on our continent Africa, we need to be investing in prevention and peacebuilding. 

We support the call by the UN Secretary-General in the New Agenda for Peace for Member States to provide more sustainable and predictable financing to peacebuilding efforts. 

As a global community, we should be concerned by recent incidents of unconstitutional changes of government in some parts of Africa.

The global community needs to work alongside the African Union to support peace efforts in the eastern DRC, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Mali, Central African Republic, South Sudan, northern Mozambique, the Great Lakes Region, the Sahel, Niger and the Horn of Africa.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has declared that it stands ready to deepen its cooperation with the UN Security Council to silence the guns on the African continent and to achieve peace, stability and development.

We are called upon to remain true to the founding principles of the United Nations, by recognising the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination in line with the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions. 

We must work for peace in the Middle East. For as long as the land of the Palestinians remains occupied, for as long as their rights are ignored and their dignity denied, such peace will remain elusive. 

The actions of the Government of Israel have imperiled the possibility of a viable two state solution. 

The principles of the UN Charter on territorial integrity and on the prohibition on the annexation of land through the use of force must be applied in this situation.

South Africa continues to call for the lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba, which has caused untold damage to the country’s economy and people.

Sanctions against Zimbabwe should also be lifted as they are imposing untold suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans.

As many people around the world are confronted by hunger and want the essential human qualities of cooperation and solidarity must be evident in the actions we take to bridge the divide between wealthy and poor. 

We must summon the necessary will and resolve to regain the momentum towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. 

This means that we must address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised our unequal world. 

To address the developmental challenges that face many people in the world we required targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support, especially in key areas such as industrialisation, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health. 

This also requires predictable and sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies, from the international community.

We call on our partners from wealthier countries to meet the financial commitments they have made.

It is a great concern that these wealthier countries have failed to meet their undertakings to mobilise 100 billion dollars a year for developing economies to take climate action.

We support the proposals outlined in the Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals Stimulus. 

In particular, we support the call to tackle debt and debt distress, to massively scale up affordable long-term financing to 500 billion dollars a year, and to expand contingency financing to countries in need. 

It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the most basic needs of billions of people.

The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals depends fundamentally on the empowerment of women in all spheres of life.

Social and economic progress will not be possible unless we end gender discrimination. We must ensure that there is equal access for women to health care, education and economic opportunities.

We must pay particular attention to the provision of adequate health services to every woman, child and adolescent. By doing so, we will fundamentally improve the health and well-being of all.

The empowerment of women must be central to the actions we now take towards the realisation of Agenda 2030.

The essential human qualities of innovation and adaptation must be evident in the actions we take to prevent the destruction of our planet.

Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world. 

We are told that of the 20 climate hotspots in the world, 17 are in Africa. 

Centuries after the end of the slave trade, decades after the end of the colonial exploitation of Africa’s resources, the people of our continent are once again bearing the cost of the industrialisation and development of the wealthy nations of the world.

This is a price that the people of Africa are no longer prepared to pay.

We urge global leaders to accelerate global decarbonisation while pursuing equality and shared prosperity.

We need to advance all three pillars of the Paris Agreement – mitigation, adaptation and support – with equal ambition and urgency. 

African countries, alongside other developing economy countries, need increased financial support to both implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve their climate change goals in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

We need to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters, as agreed at COP27.

Africa has embraced this challenge.

Africa is determined to deploy smart, digital and efficient green technologies to expand industrial production, boost agricultural yields, drive growth and create sustained employment for Africa’s people.
 
As the global community, we must ensure the essential qualities that define our humanity are evident in the institutions that manage the conduct of international relations. 

We require institutions that are inclusive, representative, democratic and advance the interests of all nations.

We require a renewed commitment to multilateralism, based on clear rules and supported by effective institutions.

This is the moment to proceed with the reform of the United Nations Security Council, to give meaning to the principle of the sovereign equality of nations and to enable the council to respond more effectively to current geopolitical realities. 

We are pleased that the Common African Position on the reform of the Security Council is increasingly enjoying wide support. 

This process must move to text-based negotiations, creating an opportunity for convergence between Member States. 

We must ensure that the voice of the African continent and the global South is strengthened in the United Nations and broader multilateral system.

All the peoples represented here in this United Nations had their origins in Africa. 

In Africa, they developed the tools and capabilities to spread across the world and achievable remarkable feats of development and progress.

Despite its history, despite the legacy of exploitation and subjugation, despite the ongoing challenge of conflict and instability, Africa is determined to regain its position as a site of human progress.

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is creating a wider seamless trading area of low tariffs and accelerated interconnectivity, African countries are mobilising their collective means and resources to achieve shared prosperity. 

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, African countries are establishing the foundation for a massive increase in trade, accelerated infrastructure development, regional integration and sustainable industrialisation. 

As the global community, we have the means and we have the desire to confront and overcome the enormous challenges that face humanity today.

As the nations gathered here in this General Assembly, let us demonstrate that we have both the will and the resolve to secure a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for our world and for the generations that will follow.

I thank you.

President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis,
UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres,
Your Excellencies,

This is a vital Summit that must revive and accelerate progress towards the fulfilment of the promises we made to the peoples of the world in 2015.

The world’s poorest and most vulnerable people are carrying the cost of our collective inability to significantly advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

We therefore need urgent action to reverse the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on development. 

We need to step up actions against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. At the same time, we must recognise that every country has the right to pursue its own development pathway towards shared global objectives.

National efforts to eradicate poverty require a conducive international environment. 

There is an urgent need to transform the global financial architecture. 

In the face of growing protectionism, we need to ensure a fair, rules-based and multilateral global trade system that gives developing economies equal access to world markets. 

South Africa welcomes the important steps taken to address the impact of the current global economic crises on low- and middle-income countries through the mobilisation of additional financial resources for the 2030 Agenda, debt restructuring and concessional and grant financing to reduce poverty and hunger. 

South Africa joins the call to address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised our unequal world. 

This requires targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support, especially in key areas such as industrialisation, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health. 

It will also require predictable and sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies, from the international community.

Ultimately, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals depends on the fundamental reform of global social, economic and political relations.

I thank you.

Mr Scott Eisner, President of the US-Africa Business Center, US Chamber of Commerce,
Mr Stephen Kehoe, Chair, US-Africa Business Center,
Mr Cas Coovadia, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa,
Honoured guests, colleagues and friends,

Thank you for the opportunity to spend some time with you today, in this conversation with American business representatives.

As business leaders, you will be aware of the global challenges that provide the backdrop against which your companies seek to grow and provide a return to investors.

These global challenges include climate change, which is reshaping policy agendas and firm-level strategies. These challenges include technological innovation, including the rise of artificial intelligence, and more complex geo-politics, characterised by heightened tension between global powers.

Global prosperity has been founded on greater levels of openness and engagement between nations and people. 

In recent decades, a more open, rules-based trading system, complemented by deeper levels of cross-border investment, has helped to sustain and grow global GDP. It has helped to increase employment in many countries and spur innovation and new technologies.

Yet the heightened tension of this moment has led to fragmentation, hostility and increasing protectionism.

For South Africa, a divided world is not a good thing. We are a trading nation, with above average trade-to-GDP ratios. A significant part of our economic growth is driven by exports.

We believe that the voices advocating greater dialogue and continued economic engagement between nations need to be strengthened.

Multilateralism has served humanity well. While the rules have not always been appropriate for many developing economies, particularly on the African continent, they are better than unilateralism and the exercise of might. 

It is far better to change the rules and make them fairer than to live in a world without rules. 

We have an ambitious trade and investment agenda.

First, we are finalising the modalities for the imminent launch of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

We expect that the first goods to be traded under this free trade pact would commence within the next six months or sooner. 

The AfCFTA as it is called, will cover 1.3 billion consumers in countries possessing some of the world’s most valuable minerals and raw materials.

Second, we are working with the US Administration to make the case for the extension of AGOA to current beneficiary countries, for a further period of 10 years, prior to its expiry in 2025. 

The US remains a very important economic partner in trade and investment, with great potential to further expand economic ties. 

There are a reported 600 US firms based in South Africa, and more firms will find value in being present in South Africa in the next phase of our growth.

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, US firms in South Africa generate over $30 billion of revenue per annum.

Third, we have an Economic Partnership Agreement with both the European Union and the United Kingdom. Trade flows continue to be very significant. Exports of manufactured goods, particularly of automotive products, have grown.

Fourth, we are expanding our trade links with countries in the Middle East, ASEAN, Mercosur and within the BRICS group. These include some of the fastest-growing economies. They are a source of capital for our industry and markets for our goods. 

Accompanying this trade agenda, we have embarked on far-reaching economic reforms. 

The energy market is being restructured. The public electricity utility, Eskom, which has faced severe challenges, has improved maintenance of its generation fleet and has received debt relief from the State to strengthen its financial position. Private energy generation, specifically in renewables, constitutes a growing share of total energy generated.

Since the implementation of regulatory changes the pipeline of private sector generation projects has increased to over 100 projects representing more than 10,000 MW of new capacity.

South Africa’s location requires an efficient transport logistics system. This is to enable us to move goods between the main industrial heartland and port cities and to act as the hub for moving products from and to other African countries. 

Following a period of under-investment in ports and rail infrastructure, we are now working closely with the private sector to use the wider pool of skills available to improve the logistics system.

The economic reform agenda is also focused on expanding our industrial capacity. The availability of critical raw materials in South Africa and in neighbouring countries is driving efforts to expand high-value manufacturing. This is a real opportunity for more US investment that can leverage off the demonstrated manufacturing base of South Africa. 

African growth rates provide a stable growth in aggregate demand over the next decade and more. As the recently published African Economic Outlook for 2023 noted:

“Growth is projected to rebound to 4 percent in 2023 and consolidate at 4.3 percent in 2024, underpinning Africa’s continued resilience to shocks.” 

The report goes on to say: 

“Africa is endowed with 30 percent of the world’s mineral resources and 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, the world’s most productive forests both in timber and carbon retention resources, and ample solar, wind, and hydropower.” 

With this kind of potential, savvy investors will be expanding, as I noted earlier,  their base in South Africa and the rest of the continent. 

Our economic reform agenda also includes targeted measures to open the market for more South Africans to participate. 

What we refer to as transformation of the economy helps to build long-term stability and growth. Our efforts to open digital markets represent an example of this, as does the use of flexible measures such as the equity equivalent investment programme that a number of US corporations, most recently CitiBank, have used. 

And so too the efforts to provide share ownership options to employees in companies, as has been done by Pepsico in South Africa. These are all examples of good corporate practices to broaden economic participation and ensure sustainability. 

I spoke earlier of industrialisation. This is a big focus for us. I must commend companies like Coca-Cola who have embraced it fully and have been strong and reliable partners in development of the local industrial capacity in the South African economy. We look forward to more companies following this example. 

Skills development is both a necessity in a period of fast-changing human resource needs of firms, and an opportunity for us. We have a large population of young people, a growing number of who are attending university and other higher education institutions. 

A focused effort to expand workplace exposure for graduates, coupled with a shift to technical education and the teaching of maths and science, will enable South Africa to build a larger resource of skilled workers. 

This focus on skills is vital to our ambitious investment drive. 

We have just concluded the first 5-year phase of our investment drive, raising R1.5 trillion in commitments from firms across the economy. These range from automobiles to pharmaceuticals, mining, the digital economy, manufacturing, energy, transport logistics and many others. 

We have now increased the target over the next five years to R2 trillion.

To appreciate the great opportunities in our economy, I invite you to the next South Africa Investment Conference to be held in March 2024. 

The investment drive includes an expansion of special economic zones, the most recent of which was built around the Ford Motor Company’s plant in the capital city, Pretoria. Around ten large factories now produce components for the scaled-up Ford plant. 

Infrastructure investment is a special focus, with increased investment in energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water. 

The reform of our visa system is underway, with increased visa-free travel. The focus is now shifting to business visas and work permits, where we are prioritising senior executives and scarce skills, so that the short-term constraints in skill availability does not impede growth. 

Finally, we are working on ways to expand the greening of our economy. This includes renewable energy generation, proposed green hydrogen pilot projects and the development of a roadmap for electric vehicle production.  

Africa is ready for new investment and strong partnerships.

South Africa is well positioned as the continent’s industrial centre, with deep capital markets, the rule of law, protection of property rights and a dynamic and youthful population. 

The significant presence of US companies operating in South Africa, including Ford, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Procter & Gamble, Google, Amazon and Walmart, among many others, forms a base for increased investment. 

I am pleased to hear that the US Africa Business Council and BUSA will be hosting the inaugural business and investment forum on the margins of the AGOA Forum scheduled to be held in South Africa in November 2023. 

This platform will present our respective governments, private sectors and civil society with numerous opportunities to advance our trade and investment relations. 

I look forward to our discussions and encourage your candid views. 

I also look forward to welcoming all of the companies present here today to South Africa in November this year during the AGOA Forum. We will have a Made in Africa Expo and I hope I will see procurement heads and CEOs from all of the companies present here today, attending the Forum and Expo; and that we can generate more orders to companies operating in SA, as part of our efforts to industrialise. 

I look forward to building and strengthening business relationships that will accelerate growth, enable commercial success and ensure prosperity for both our countries. 

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his sadness at two natural disasters that have claimed close to 8 000 lives collectively and displaced tens of thousands of residents in eastern Libya and Morocco.

More than 5 000 people have perished due to floods associated with Storm Daniel in eastern Libya while more than 2 000 people died in an earthquake last weekend in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

President Ramaphosa said: “South Africa shares the pain and loss felt by the people of eastern Libya and Morocco. These disasters highlight once more the frailty of life when confronted with the forces of nature.”

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today , 17 September 2023 , arrived in New York for a working visit to lead South Africa’s delegation to the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78). 

Member States of the United Nations are this week participating in the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly taking place from 18-26 September 2023.

The President will deliver the South Africa statement to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, at 13h00 US Eastern Time, which will be 19h00 in South Africa. 

The address to the UN General Assembly will be preceded by a number of High Level engagements.

These include summits on Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Sustainable Development Goals, a High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, as well as the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response and Climate Ambition Summit to be hosted by the United Nations Secretary General.

President Ramaphosa will also lead discussions during the Presidential Roundtable that will hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce and US-Africa Business Center.

In addition, the President’s programme will also include several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of UNGA.

UNGA78 is convened under the auspices of “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

The theme has been set by the incoming President of the UN General Assembly Ambassador Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago.

South Africa’s participation at the United Nations is directed by its international relations policy objectives of among others:
(i) Mobilising support for South Africa’s domestic objectives, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), including reducing inequality, unemployment, and poverty eradication.

(ii) Support for the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustainable development by advocating for Africa’s priorities under the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

(iii) Influencing the reform of the global multilateral architecture; and advancing the agenda of the South in the North-South Dialogue platform.

The Ministerial delegation in support of the South Africa's participation to UNGA78 is Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor , Minister of Trade , Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel , Minister of Environment , Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy , Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla , Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Minister in the Presidency for Planning , Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopha. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President  -  +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Your Excellency, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health,
Your Excellency Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen
UNICEF Executive Director, Dr Catherine Russell,
Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Prof Senait Fisseha,
Members of Delegations and Officials,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I welcome you all to this important gathering, which marks the beginning of our journey together to protect women, children and adolescents worldwide.

I thank Her Excellency Helen Clark for inviting me to lead this vital initiative. 

If we secure the health of every woman, child and adolescent, we will fundamentally improve the health and well-being of all humanity.

We will lift millions of people out of poverty and advance the cause of human progress. We will help close the gap between women and men.

I am therefore particularly heartened that we have managed to convene a diverse group of leaders and advocates, from Heads of State to young leaders.

Women, children and adolescents continue to face escalating challenges to their health and well-being.

Almost 800 women still die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Ninety-five percent of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing health inequality. 

Over 10 million children have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19. Sixty-seven million children have missed out on the routine vaccines, and 80 percent of children have lost learning time due to school closures. 

The long-term effects of underdeveloped children on our respective economies will be devastating.

Over 1.5 million adolescents and young adults aged 10–25 died in 2021, most due to causes that are entirely preventable. 

These were young people who should have been growing, thriving and developing the communities of tomorrow. 

This 78th Session of the UN General Assembly is an opportunity to take stock. It is an opportunity to agree on bold steps to accelerate the actions needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals related to women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and well-being. 

The Global Leaders Network is an opportunity for Heads of State and Government and other leaders to work together to champion the women, children and adolescent health agenda. 

I invite Heads of State to join this effort. I would also like to thank Heads of State that have taken up this course.

As Heads of State, we can provide leadership and inspire ambitious action. We have the convening power to mobilise our peers and advance policies, programmes and financing initiatives for improved outcomes. 

The leaders of BRICS and G20 countries are particularly well-positioned to advance progress for the most vulnerable women, children and adolescents.

As part of our agenda, we must challenge the disregard in many communities and countries for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women. 

We must ensure that these issues are openly discussed and addressed.

To advance these rights, to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health, we have to end gender-based violence.

The World Bank has reported that nearly a third of women around the world have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. 

It is now more than evident that countries must reduce inequality in access to health care. This inequality is catastrophic for economies, political stability, health security and human rights.

Political leadership means both action and accountability. It involves the will to make deliberate policy decisions to accelerate progress for women, children and adolescents. 

Effective leadership champions collaboration to strengthen health and related sectors and to engage women and girls meaningfully in health systems and their reform.

In many countries, international donor financing for health is waning and fragmented. This is compounded by the diversion of domestic funding away from women's, children's and adolescent's health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other priorities. 

The poor economic outlook and limited fiscal space in many countries heighten these challenges. 

Investing in interventions for women, child and adolescent health yields social and economic benefits that continue throughout life and for generations to come. 

If, between now and 2035, we were to invest $5 per person per year in health systems and high-impact health interventions for women and children in high-burden countries, the value of the economic and social benefits would be nine times greater than that amount.

Every dollar invested in child immunisation brings at least $20 in benefits. And every dollar invested in selected adolescent health interventions yields a 10-fold return in health, social and economic benefits.

The Global Leaders Network will advocate for sustained and enhanced financial investments, contributing to the growth of nations and enabling individuals to reach their highest potential. 

We will also advocate for improved alignment of global financing mechanisms to foster better investment in strategic priorities to meet the health and well-being needs of women, children and adolescents.

Close monitoring and accountability across national, regional and global platforms is essential. 

As Heads of State and Government, we can share the models being implemented in our countries and exchange best practices.

As South Africa, for example, we have made important strides in areas of health care. New HIV infections decreased by 48 per cent between 2010 and 2019 as the country expanded HIV treatment and voluntary medical male circumcision.

We remained committed to implement universal health coverage, through the establishment of a National Health Insurance, which will have far-reaching benefits for the access to health services for women, children and adolescents.

I am certain that with the joint stewardship of the Global Leaders, supported by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and other champions, we stand a far better chance of delivering on our promise to women, children and adolescents across the world.

I thank you.

(For planning purposes and subject to change without notice)

Monday, 18 September 2023
President Ramaphosa to address the High Level Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) Event
Time: 07:30
Venue: Labouisse Hall, 3 UN Plaza UNICEF House, Danny Kaye

President Ramaphosa to address Leaders Dialogue 1: Scaling up Actions on Key Transitions to Accelerate SDG Progress
Time: 10:30
Venue: Trusteeship Council Chamber, 3 UN Headquarters

President Ramaphosa to address the US – South Africa Trade and Investment Executive Dialogue
Time: 15:00
Venue: The Westin , New York 

President Ramaphosa participates at The Uniting behind a Common Africa Position on Pandemic Preparedness , Prevention and Response Summit 
Time: 18:00 
Venue: Millenium Hotel 

Tuesday, 19 September 2023
President Ramaphosa delivers South Africa’s National Statement at the General Debate of the opening of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly
Time: 13:00
Venue: General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters 

Wednesday, 20 September 2023
President Ramaphosa participates at the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development
Time: 09:00
Venue: Trusteeship Chamber, 2nd Floor, General Assembly Building

President Ramaphosa to address the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit
Time: 10:00
Venue: Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters

President Cyril Ramaphosa High Level engagements can be followed on  https://media.un.org/en/webtv/schedule and will also be live streamed on Presidency digital platforms.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria