Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has departed for New York to lead South Africa’s delegation at the High-Level Segment of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, scheduled for 23-29 September 2025 under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights”.
The annual High-Level Week brings together world leaders to address global challenges, and Ramaphosa’s participation underscores South Africa’s commitment to multilateralism and advancing Africa’s agenda on the international stage. As chair of the African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, the president is expected to engage in discussions on health security, climate change, sustainable development, and peacebuilding. His itinerary includes bilateral meetings with key partners, including US President Kamala Harris, to strengthen economic ties and discuss investment opportunities in renewable energy and infrastructure.
South Africa’s Role in UNGA 80: Pushing for Global Solidarity
The 80th UN General Assembly session marks a milestone for the United Nations, celebrating eight decades since its founding in 1945. This year’s theme emphasises collective action for peace, development, and human rights, aligning with South Africa’s foreign policy priorities of promoting equality and sustainability. Ramaphosa’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, Environment Minister Dion George, and representatives from business and civil society, aiming to highlight Africa’s contributions to global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
During the week, Ramaphosa will deliver South Africa’s national statement on 25 September, focusing on the need for reformed global institutions to better represent developing nations. He is also set to participate in the Summit of the Future on 22-23 September, a pre-UNGA event adopting the Pact for the Future to address gaps in global governance. South Africa’s input draws from its G20 presidency experience, where it advocated for debt relief and climate finance for vulnerable countries.
The president’s trip comes amid domestic challenges like energy shortages and economic inequality, but he has framed it as an opportunity to attract investment. In a pre-departure briefing, Ramaphosa said the visit would showcase South Africa’s progress in renewable energy transitions and digital innovation, inviting global partners to collaborate on projects like the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Bilateral Engagements: Strengthening Ties with the US and Beyond
A highlight of Ramaphosa’s schedule is a bilateral meeting with US President Kamala Harris on 24 September, building on recent trade talks under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The discussions are expected to cover US support for South Africa’s green hydrogen initiatives and agricultural exports, amid concerns over AGOA’s renewal beyond 2025. South Africa, as Africa’s largest economy, seeks to leverage these ties to boost job creation and technology transfer.
Ramaphosa will also engage with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on peacekeeping reforms, given South Africa’s contributions to missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. Other sideline events include forums on gender equality and youth empowerment, where South Africa will share experiences from its National Youth Policy.
Historical Context: South Africa’s UN Journey and Current Global Role
South Africa’s relationship with the UN dates back to 1945 as a founding member, but apartheid-era isolation ended with readmission in 1994. Since then, the country has chaired key bodies like the UN Security Council in 2019-2020 and hosted global summits on HIV/AIDS and sustainable development. Ramaphosa’s 2025 participation continues this legacy, especially as Africa pushes for two permanent Security Council seats.
Domestically, the trip has drawn mixed reactions. Opposition parties like the EFF criticised it as a distraction from load shedding and unemployment, while business groups welcomed the focus on investment. The presidency assured that Ramaphosa will remain engaged on home issues, with Acting President Paul Mashatile handling duties in his absence.
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