President Ramaphosa Concludes Participation in 78th United Nations General Assembly

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a working visit to the United States of America, where he led South Africa’s participation in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The President delivered South Africa’s National Statement on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, under the theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

During his visit, President Ramaphosa also participated in the Financing for Development Summit, the Climate Change Summit, and held several bilateral meetings with world leaders.

In his assessment of the UNGA78, President Ramaphosa said: “The United Nations General Assembly is an important and strategic platform for South Africa, where we are able to interact at a high level multilaterally and bilaterally.

“We have engaged in meaningful discussions that will contribute to the development of our country and our continent. I go home with my spirits lifted and enthused that the challenges we face will be resolved as we continue working with our social partners and business at home, and our trade and diplomatic partners globally.”

The President was accompanied by a delegation of Ministers that included the 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 Ramokgopa.

Highlights of President Ramaphosa’s Visit

• President Ramaphosa advocated for the strengthening and reform of the international financial architecture, saying that developing countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process.
• He also addressed the Climate Change Summit, where he called for action in the implementation of the recently adopted Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action.
• On the sidelines of UNGA78, President Ramaphosa held several bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening strategic political, diplomatic, and trade ties. These included discussions with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, and President Emmerson Mnagangwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
• Another highlight of the President’s Working Visit to the United States was the joint announcement by the South African and United States governments of South Africa’s hosting of the 20th US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, (AGOA Forum) in Johannesburg from 2 to 4 November 2023.

President Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States and his participation in the 78th United Nations General Assembly was a success. He used the platform to advocate for South Africa’s interests and to strengthen ties with other world leaders. The President’s visit also helped to raise awareness of the challenges facing South Africa and the continent, and to mobilize support for addressing them.