Speaker, hon members, South Africa has consistently campaigned for the right to self-determination of all the peoples of Africa, and our record in multilateral institutions like the African Union, the UN, and United Nations General Assembly, Unga, attest to this fact.
We do so, believing that every people or nation have the right to determine their own destiny without undue interference from others. The history of the continent and the Caribbean is littered with examples of nations whose development has been undermined due to external interference.
Let me emphasise that our position is influenced by our conviction that self-determination, peace and stability are important ingredients for cultural, social and economic advancement.
As the hon member is aware, the 1945 Charter of the United Nations calls for the development of, and I quote, "friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace".
All of us here in South Africa will recall that the democracy we enjoy today is a culmination of the struggles waged in pursuit of the goal of determining our own political status and the freedom to choose an economic, social and cultural development path. We acknowledge that this freedom was achieved with the persistent solidarity and support of the international community and, in particular, our brethren in Africa and its diaspora.
Finally, the recent Diaspora Summit attended by the heads of state and government of the African Union, the Caribbean and South America committed to encouraging and supporting the adoption and implementation of policies that will facilitate the elimination of racism and the promotion of equality among races in different diaspora countries. I thank you.