President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to lead a South African delegation at the High-Level Segment of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York from 23 to 29 September 2025. This year’s session holds particular significance as it marks the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter and will be themed “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for the Presidency, indicated that President Ramaphosa aims to leverage this crucial platform to advocate for a more just, peaceful, and equitable world order. The President is expected to address the General Debate on Tuesday, focusing on robust multilateralism, peaceful conflict resolution, and the unwavering protection of human rights worldwide.
“His address will carry a clear message from the Global South, bolstered by South Africa’s role as Chair of the G20,” Magwenya stated. This aligns with recent calls for urgent international intervention concerning pressing global issues, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the war in Ukraine. South Africa’s longstanding reputation as a mediator will be pivotal in building bridges among conflicting parties and championing dialogue rather than discord.
Further underscoring his commitment, Ramaphosa is expected to advocate for the reform of the UN Security Council, calling for a body that is more representative, democratic, and effective in today’s complex geopolitical landscape. According to Magwenya, the President will focus on three core pillars of the UN Charter: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
“Building on its G20 mandate to shape global economic solutions, South Africa will argue for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global economy,” Magwenya explained. The delegation is poised to highlight how developing nations are disproportionately impacted by current global challenges and will push for enhanced international cooperation to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In addition to the General Debate, Ramaphosa and his delegation will participate in critical meetings on the event’s sidelines. These include the inaugural Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive, and Resilient Global Economy, the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, and high-level dialogues regarding the two-state solution in Israel/Palestine. They will also engage in trade and investment discussions with influential US industry leaders and key decision-makers.
The stakes are high as President Ramaphosa prepares to represent South Africa on the global stage, carrying the aspirations of the Global South to the forefront of international discourse.
