Chairperson, hon Minister Mme Maite Nkoane- Mashabane, hon Deputy Minister Ibrahim Ibrahim, hon Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe, Members of Parliament and guests, I thank you.
Our foreign policy on international relations is guided by the vision of a better life for all the peoples of the world. This requires working for a peaceful and prosperous Africa whilst striving for a better world. This commitment resembles the clarion call, as articulated in the ANC's Freedom Charter, that "There shall be peace and friendship". This vision calls for a better Africa in a better world.
Our theme mirrors the interesting nature of international developments. It refers to "the pillars of the international relations foreign policy of the department" and relates to the strategic policy objectives of the ANC.
The department's budget relates to the underpinnings of this theme. On the whole, the budget is informed by our government's strategic vision for our country, region, continent and the globe at large. We are part of global governance. Having a place among the family of nations is necessary in order to represent our country, region and continent through relevant bodies in the galaxy of nations.
Through global governance we are able to contribute to our socioeconomic stability through multilateral diplomatic engagements on global platforms. In this regard, our country will continue to promote development, security, human rights and compliance with international law. This kind of advocacy cannot take place in a vacuum. It requires active participation in regional, continental and international structures, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.
Part of the reason for the active involvement of our country in global governance is to promote the development objectives of the developing world, including the attainment of an equitable global order through, amongst other things, active participation in the global economic reform process through continued engagement with international and regional economic financial institutions; support for the current developmental momentum within the G20 through active participation in summit processes; the promotion of national and developing countries' positions in the implementation of G20 initiatives, with special emphasis on the African agenda; the playing of a supportive role in the World Trade Organisation and forging partnerships where necessary; and the continuation of active engagement with global governance institutions on political, economic and security matters, including the reform of the multilateral system to be responsive to the developmental needs of developing countries.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the world has become quasi- unipolar, but at a multipolar level the economic crisis has given rise to the emergence of a new economic bloc. For example, there is the China, Brazil, India and Japan bloc, and there is the Europe and other economic blocs which seem to be challenging US dominance. Its features tend to be evident in geopolitical blocs amongst developed and developing countries.
South Africa is part of the world economy. In the state of the nation address this year President Jacob Zuma stated that government "will intensify efforts to promote the interests of South Africa globally". It will support efforts to speed up the political and economic integration of the Southern African Development Community, SADC.
The President's emphasis demonstrates commitment to the Freedom Charter, namely that "There shall be peace and friendship". This document contends that economic and political co-operation with other countries will bring about a better life for all, peace, and a better Africa and world.
Through participation in multilateral forums our country will strive to ensure, as far as possible, that the resolution of international conflicts is always peaceful and in line with the UN charter and that the principles of international law are always adhered to. Our country's international relations policy, as per the theme, recognises that in order to achieve a better life for all, development and security are better addressed through adequate attention to all global threats facing humanity.
It is here that the organs and principal bodies of the United Nations system are of major importance for the maintenance of global peace and stability. The ANC government should work towards effective global governance through the African Union, the United Nations and other such bodies.
The 52nd national conference of the ANC characterised the current global situation as "a situation in which an exploitative socioeconomic system rules the world", and that the danger should not be underestimated of widening wars of conquest and other more sophisticated means of subversion in search of resources, markets and geopolitical advantage. The current international political conjuncture is witnessing a new form of imperialism and neocolonialism emerging in the disguised form of using different struggles and tactics.
In this regard, the ANC needs to strengthen its relationship with the progressive forces of the left. It should forge common programmes through government to build international relationships with other countries and organisations, especially the like-minded ones.
Global governance should seek to mobilise all progressive forces into a common programme to work towards greater peace and stability, dialogue, multilateralism and the closing of the gap between the poor and the rich nations. It should mean struggling for a greater sovereignty for developing nations in order for them to choose their own economic and development path without undue influence by the developed nations.
However, it must be noted that all countries are affected by the recent global economic crisis. The economic crisis has been characterised as the worst since 1929. The recent crisis which affected mostly Asian countries was between 1997 and 1998. In the past we may have exaggerated the global financial crisis. We may have underestimated the ability of countries to survive the recession. We certainly need to learn the hard lessons, positive and negative, from the attempts of this century to build fair, just and inclusive global governance.
Over the last decade we were bombarded with the triumph of the so-called New World Order, after the dramatic events in Eastern Europe between 1989 and 1991 distracted attention away from an even greater human tragedy. After 20 years of claims of a New World Order, the world's superpowers failed to turn their Cold War victory into anything resembling a stable, let alone just and humane, world order.
Global governance should promote national service delivery. It should lead to economic development and peace and security, not just abroad, but specifically to meet the needs of South Africans. It should enhance nation- building and national consciousness or patriotism. In this regard, the strategy and tactics document recognises the overarching role of the national democratic revolution in the construction of a peaceful and stable South Africa.
The current international balance of forces requires that progressive forces be united around a common programme within the global governance system. Our country continues to pursue issues relating to arms control, such as disarmament and nonproliferation, and is also seeking to secure a stronger, more binding global agreement on climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These strategic tasks occupied South Africa even more in its term as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council.
With regard to this point, I would like to refer quickly to the hon Mubu who was saying that we were violating human rights. Unfortunately, the hon Mubu was not here yet - maybe he is getting his information from the media - when the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs in the previous term had an opportunity to call the department to explain the position that was taken in respect of Myanmar. South Africa has always put human rights at the centre of our engagements at home and abroad, including at the UN. We are a very active member of the UN Human Rights Council.