South Africa and Austria call for UN reform, deepen bilateral ties

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen on Friday called for reforms to global governance bodies and pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Meeting in Pretoria, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Austrian counterpart Alexander van der Bellen highlighted the urgent need to reform global institutions, particularly the United Nations, in response to mounting global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and regional conflicts.

“We meet at a time of heightened global insecurity,” Ramaphosa said, emphasising the importance of defending a multilateral system that is currently “under attack.” He noted that both Austria and South Africa are committed to international cooperation and believe in the power of multilateralism to foster peace and stability.

The two leaders agreed that reforms are essential for global institutions to remain effective and relevant in today’s world. They also committed to strengthening trade and diplomatic relations.

Van der Bellen praised South Africa’s peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy, calling it a global model for peace and inclusive governance. This marks the first official visit by an Austrian president to South Africa.

He also noted that South Africa is Austria’s largest trade partner in Africa, accounting for one-third of Austrian exports to the continent and a quarter of its imports from Africa. Austria has invested approximately €700 million in South Africa, making it one of the top EU investors in the country.

The leaders oversaw the signing of a memorandum of cooperation covering consular affairs, education, and vocational training through work-based learning.

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