Ramaphosa to hold crucial trade and investment talks with 'key US decision makers' in New York
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a South African delegation to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, championing a progressive agenda for a more just and equitable world.
Image: File/GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a South African delegation to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York, United States, from September 23 to 29, 2025.
The Presidency said at the summit, Ramaphosa will champion a progressive agenda for a more just, peaceful, and equitable world order.
Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president will carry a clear message from the Global South, amplified by South Africa’s current role as Chair of the G20. The delegation will engage on urgent international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as well as conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the war in Ukraine. South Africa will leverage its reputation as a trusted mediator to "build bridges between opposing sides and advocate for dialogue over discord."
"President Ramaphosa will address the General Debate on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. His address will champion robust multilateralism, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the unwavering protection of human rights for all. He will carry a clear message from the Global South, amplified by South Africa’s current role as chair of the G20," said Magwenya.
A central pillar of South Africa’s agenda at the UN is the comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council to make it more representative, democratic, and effective. The country will also assertively advance the three core pillars of the UN Charter: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
Building on its G20 mandate, South Africa will argue for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global economy. The delegation will highlight the disproportionate impact of current global challenges on developing nations and push for enhanced international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
On the margins of the General Debate, President Ramaphosa and the delegation will participate in several pivotal meetings, including the inaugural Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, and a high-level meeting on the two-state solution for Israel/Palestine. The Presidency said Ramaphosa will also hold trade and investment discussions with leading US business leaders and other key US decision makers.
During the US tour, Ramaphosa will be accompanied and supported by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau; Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chukunga; Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George; Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa; Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele.
Earlier this month, IOL reported that Lamola stated that South Africa remains unfazed by United States President Donald Trump’s decision to miss the upcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November.
Instead, US Vice President JD Vance will represent the country, a move that Lamola has openly welcomed, underscoring South Africa's commitment to diplomatic engagement despite the change in US representation.
Trump’s non-attendance at the high-stakes summit comes as no surprise, as he had previously indicated his intent to skip the event, citing unsubstantiated claims of systemic persecution and killing of white citizens in South Africa.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News