SA Pushes for Global Governance Reform and Economic Diplomacy: Ronald Lamola

Lamola said the world is undergoing significant geopolitical and economic changes, but many international institutions still operate according to outdated power arrangements established decades ago.

South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says the country will continue advocating for reforms to global governance institutions while using foreign policy as a strategic tool to support economic growth, trade expansion, and development at home.

Presenting the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's 2026/27 Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Lamola argued that the current international system continues to disadvantage developing nations through unequal financial structures, geopolitical pressure, and limited representation in major global institutions.

"Global Institutions Still Reflect Old Power Structures"

Lamola said the world is undergoing significant geopolitical and economic changes, but many international institutions still operate according to outdated power arrangements established decades ago.

"The world is changing, but many of its institutions still reflect old patterns of power," he said.

According to the Minister, developing countries continue to face:

• Unsustainable debt burdens

• Unequal access to development finance

• Pressure to align with powerful geopolitical blocs

• Limited influence in global decision-making

Lamola stated that South Africa's foreign policy objective remains focused on building a fairer, more representative, and more inclusive global order.

South Africa Continues Push for UN Reform

A major component of South Africa's diplomatic agenda remains reform of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council.

Lamola said the current structure of the Security Council no longer adequately reflects contemporary global realities or the interests of developing countries.

"This means continuing to call for reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, so that it can respond more effectively to contemporary global challenges," he said.

African nations have long advocated for greater representation within global governance structures, arguing that the continent remains underrepresented despite its population size and growing economic importance.

G20 Presidency Focused on Inclusion and Equality

Lamola highlighted South Africa's current Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency under the theme:

"Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability"

He said the presidency reflects South Africa's commitment to promoting a more inclusive and balanced international system.

Among the key outcomes achieved during South Africa's G20 Presidency are:

• The G20 Africa Expert Panel Report on Growth, Debt and Development

• The Report of the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality

The Minister added that South Africa is also working with international partners to establish an International Panel on Inequality through the United Nations General Assembly.

BRICS Expansion Strengthens Global South

On BRICS, Lamola said the bloc continues to strengthen the voice and influence of the Global South in international affairs.

The recent expansion of BRICS to 11 member countries, he noted, marks a significant geopolitical milestone.

"Through BRICS, South Africa will continue to advance reform of global governance institutions and support the development of the new BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy," Lamola said.

The Minister argued that BRICS is becoming increasingly important as a platform for:

• Economic cooperation

• Financial reform

• Trade collaboration

• Development financing

• Multipolar global governance

South Africa Defends International Law

Lamola also strongly defended South Africa's commitment to international law and multilateral accountability mechanisms.

He referenced the formation of the "Hague Group," which South Africa has supported as part of efforts to defend the credibility of international legal institutions.

"We've formed the Hague Group to defend the credibility of international law, hold states accountable for breaches and protect the integrity of the international legal order," he said.

According to Lamola, the initiative seeks to:

• Oppose impunity

• Strengthen international accountability

• Support enforcement of international law

• Promote collective legal action through courts and multilateral institutions

The Minister specifically referred to measures such as:

• Halting arms transfers

• Blocking weapons shipments

• Suspending procurement from Israeli firms

• Ceasing certain energy exports

• Pursuing accountability through legal systems

Continued Advocacy for Nuclear Disarmament

Lamola reaffirmed South Africa's longstanding support for global nuclear disarmament.

"As a country that voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons programme, we continue to advocate for the total elimination of nuclear weapons," he said.

South Africa is expected to preside over the first Review Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons later this year.

The country remains one of the few nations globally to have voluntarily dismantled a nuclear weapons programme, a position it often highlights in international disarmament discussions.

Foreign Policy Must Benefit Ordinary Citizens

The Minister stressed that South Africa's foreign policy cannot remain limited to diplomatic engagements alone and must directly support citizens through economic development and job creation.

"Foreign policy must ultimately speak to the lives of our people," Lamola said.

He emphasized that diplomacy should contribute toward:

• Inclusive economic growth

• Poverty reduction

• Sustainable development

• Peace and security

• Employment creation

Economic Diplomacy Delivering Results

Lamola said South Africa's economic diplomacy efforts are already producing measurable outcomes, particularly in the agricultural sector.

According to the Minister:

• 45% of South Africa's processed goods are traded within Africa

• Agricultural exports reached a record 15.1 billion US dollars in 2025

• First-quarter farm exports in 2026 reached 3.7 billion US dollars

• Agricultural exports increased by 11% year-on-year

South African agricultural products are currently exported to markets across:

• Africa

• The European Union

• Asia

"These exports show how foreign policy can support jobs, production and economic opportunity at home," Lamola said.

Migration Management Must Remain Lawful

On migration issues, Lamola stressed the need for lawful, evidence-based, and coordinated immigration management.

He said migration policy must ensure:

• Secure borders

• Protection of fundamental human rights

• Lawful enforcement against irregular migration

• Reduced corruption in immigration systems

"Law enforcement authorities enforce the law with regard to irregular migration, not private citizens," he said.

The Minister's comments come amid ongoing debates in South Africa regarding migration management, border security, and social tensions related to undocumented migration.

South Africa Positioning Itself as Voice of Global South

Political analysts note that South Africa continues positioning itself as a prominent advocate for the Global South in international diplomacy.

Through platforms such as:

• G20

• BRICS

• United Nations

• African Union

South Africa has increasingly promoted themes of:

• Global equity

• Institutional reform

• Development financing

• Climate justice

• Multipolarity

• International legal accountability

The government argues that stronger representation of developing countries in global governance structures is essential for achieving fairer international economic and political systems.

Foreign Policy Linked to Domestic Development

Lamola's Budget Vote speech reflects a broader strategic shift in South Africa's foreign policy toward integrating diplomacy more closely with domestic economic priorities.

Officials increasingly view international relations not only as a geopolitical tool but also as a mechanism for:

• Expanding trade opportunities

• Attracting investment

• Supporting exports

• Creating jobs

• Strengthening economic resilience

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is expected to continue focusing on economic diplomacy, regional integration, and multilateral engagement as key pillars of South Africa's international strategy.