South Africa's Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Saul Molobi, said Pretoria's candidature for 2011-2012 would be guided by its commitment to strengthening the multilateral system and i ts support for a broader multilateral approach to questions of international peace and security.
Membership of the Security Council will present an opportunity to promote the African Agenda and to contribute to achieving peace and stability in the continent and in all regions of the world, he said.
In putting forward its candidature, South Africa also recognises the necessity and importance of continuing to work together with all the members of the African Union and United Nations in pursuit of effective global governance, multilateralism and the reform of the United Nations system, including the reform of the Security Council, in order to make it more transparent and accountable to enhance its legitimacy, representivity and effectiveness.
The election for this African seat will be held during the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly in October 2010.
If elected, this would be South Africa's second term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
South Africa served its first ever term of the council, which is responsible for international peace and secuerity, in 2007 and 2008.
During that period, membership of the Security Council was seen as an opportunity to promote the African Renaissance, the African agenda and South Africa's national interests, while advancing the mainte nance of international peace and security globally.
The country also regarded the Security Council as a platform to help promote multilateralism and respect for international law as the most appropriate means of achieving global political and economic stability and security.
South Africa brought to the Security Council a strong reputation and track record as an 'agent of change' after its chairing of the Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth, African Union and G77&China.
South Africa had also contributed towards norm-setting in the multilateral arena by hosting major conferences, such as the World Conference against Racism and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Cape Town - Pana 04/02/2010
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