Media Statement
10 November 2020
President to participate in high-level meeting on reinforcing multilateralism
President Cyril Ramaphosa will today, Tuesday, 10 November 2020, participate in a virtual high-level event to be held in Madrid, Spain, under the theme: “Reinforcing multilateralism, together building on the United Nations 75th Anniversary Declaration.”
President Pedro Sánchez of Spain, together with Prime Minister Stefan Löfvén of Sweden, are convening this high-level meeting as an initiative, with countries from various regions, to strengthen implementation of the 12 key commitments contained in the United Nations 75th Anniversary Declaration that was adopted by the UN General Assembly, on 21 September 2020.
It is expected that a joint statement will be issued by the participating countries, expressing support for stronger, reformed and reinvigorated rules-based multilateralism, with a more inclusive United Nations at its core.
Furthermore, the joint statement will contain proposed actions in the following priority areas to strengthen multilateralism and turn the United Nations 75th Anniversary Declaration into reality, namely, global health; climate change; peace, security and justice; human rights; and the digital revolution; amongst others.
President Ramaphosa said that South Africa is honoured to participate in this high-level event in support of multilateralism.
“This initiative comes at an opportune time as countries are committed to collective multilateral action to resolving global challenges. The measurement of our success is the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which remains the roadmap for eradicating poverty and ensuring a better life for all of the world’s population,” said President Ramaphosa.
The event is scheduled to start at 13h30 South African time and will be live streamed on the YouTube platform:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCzJtDQ9b_Uq1tA5W_tMiMUQ
President Ramaphosa is expected to deliver a pre-recorded statement after 14h00.
Media enquiries: Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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