Hon Chairperson, Minister and Deputy Minister present here today, hon Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman. Sanibonani [Good day.]
It is my greatest honour to address this Sixth Parliament which is recently installed as our legislative authority in the year coinciding with the 25th anniversary of our constitutional democracy.
I would like to thank the ANC for affording me this opportunity to represent the people of our country in this important institution of our democracy. We thank the generations of young leaders and activists who came before us, who in their own sacrifices, paved a way for many of my generation to enjoy the freedom and opportunities that we have today.
This debate takes place in the month wherein we observe the Nelson Mandela Day, which is a 'global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world'. This is done in honour of the distinguished service by our founding father in the promotion of freedom, human rights, peace and democracy in the world.
We draw strength from his wise words when he said:
We cannot allow, for our common well-being, that the unilateral interests of single nations or groups of nations dictate international conduct and affairs.
These are the same values that have become the cornerstone of our foreign policy outlook, wherein we use our own historical experiences to promote a better Africa and the better world.
Hon house chairperson, I want to reflect on the Promoting Global Democracy to Transcend Unilateral Decision-making. It must be stated without any fear of contradiction that unilateralism is an outdated 20th century phenomenon. It also has no place in the
modern world wherein there is an existential urgency for all of us to promote multilateral governance, security and trade architecture. Be that as it may, what we can no longer be in doubt of is that multilateralism is under siege.
There is no rise in narrow nationalism, trade protectionism and a scant view of international institutions and rules. The unilateral withdrawal by the Trump Administration from the Paris Climate Change Agreement, at the time when the effects of global warming are so devastating to the developing world, underscores the crisis we are faced with.
The ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing has serious implications for equitable global economic order. We have seen how sharing of technological innovations such as Huawei's 5G technology, that will meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is stifled through arbitrary trade wars that militate against the World Trade Organisation, WTO, rules.
Europe as our major trading partner is dealing with its own challenges of Brexit.
The Iran nuclear deal is under threat with an escalating stand- off between all parties involved. As a consequence, the Middle East can explode further at any moment now.
These developments do little for the advancement of global democracy that is rooted on international solidarity. Instead, we see the rise of inward- looking populism, which seeks to elevate national sovereignty above all this.
In countries like Myanmar, Syria and Venezuela, we are faced with a complex political and security situation that requires global response. This requires of us to use available international and regional instruments to find lasting solutions for the benefit of the people of those countries, in particular and the world in general.
The end product of these developments is displacement of ordinary people, in the main who happen to be women and children. They find themselves caught in unresolved civil conflicts or trapped in humanitarian crisis due to disruption of life and necessary supplies for their livelihood. It is under
such conditions that the mass rape of women occur leading to the spread of diseases like HIV and AIDS.
Therefore, it should concern us that unilateralism in global decision- making is on the ascendant whilst global democracy is on the back foot.
It is an indictful reality that the post-Cold War international system, still has to reckon with pockets of unilateralism meant to benefit the "military-industrial complex" whereby, for example, defence budgets far outstrips national investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure upkeep, and elemental service delivery.
The tangible costs of none sticking to international democratic system, include, the undermining of the authority of international bodies such as the United Nations, WTO, the African Union and the European Union.
"In Larger Freedom", Kofi Annan, the late UN Secretary-General, reminds us that:
Dealing with today's threats requires broad, deep, and sustained global co-operation. Thus, the states of the world must create a collective security system to prevent terrorism, strengthen non- proliferation, and bring peace to war-torn areas, while also promoting human rights, democracy, and development.
It is in global co-operation that we will manage better trans- border migration. It is in global co-operation that we will defeat acts of terrorism. It is in global co-operation that we will prevent human trafficking by organized criminal gangs. Indeed, it is in global co-operation that we will prevent international drug smuggling and illicit financial flows. It is in such co-operation that we will achieve more in placing African agenda at the centre of global deliberations and action.
The ongoing political and security challenges in Libya, Cameroon, Sudan and South Sudan are of great concern. We have long held a policy position that South Africa's development and prosperity is inextricably linked to peace and development to the continent.
Our foreign policy posture and outlook should be alive to current realities. That is why we must not just celebrate being part of multilateral foray without a clear and tangible plan to advance our domestic and regional agenda.
Our commitment in contributing to a stable, peaceful and prosperous African Continent working with other nations within SADC and the African Union should be the basis of our agenda.