South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Brics countries to strengthen multilateralism, push for reform of the United Nations and ensure that violations of international law are met with accountability.
Addressing a session on inclusive global governance and the future of multilateral cooperation in New Delhi on Saturday, 12 September 2026, Ramaphosa said the international system was facing a period of major uncertainty and structural change.
The South African president is leading the country’s participation at the Brics Summit, where government officials and business leaders are also engaging with Indian counterparts on trade, investment, innovation and closer economic relations between the two countries.
The summit is taking place against a backdrop of heightened international tensions and wider economic concerns linked to the US-Iran conflict, including pressure on energy security, trade and inflation.
Ramaphosa thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for convening the summit and said the international community could not ignore the growing challenges facing established multilateral institutions.
Ramaphosa warns against selective application of international law
According to Ramaphosa, the United Nations has survived the Cold War and numerous other international crises while continuing to play a central role in maintaining international peace and security.
However, he argued that the institution is now under pressure from what he described as open violations of the UN Charter and the increasing use of military force to resolve disputes between states.
South Africa, he said, supports a predictable international order based on international law, with the UN Charter at its centre.
Such an order should be based on the sovereign equality of states, respect for territorial integrity and political independence, regardless of the size or influence of individual countries.
Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of accountability when international law is breached. He referred to conflicts and alleged violations involving Palestinians, Sudan and Iran, saying the international community should expose violations and pursue accountability regardless of which state or actor is responsible.
He also defended South Africa’s decision, alongside other countries, to use international judicial institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in seeking legal remedies concerning the situation in Palestine.
The president said international law could not be applied according to different standards for different countries, arguing that the same legal principles and protections should apply universally.
South Africa renews call for greater African representation
A central element of Ramaphosa’s address was the reform of the UN Security Council.
He highlighted what he described as the continued exclusion of Africa from permanent representation on the Council. Africa has 54 UN member states and accounts for close to one-fifth of the world’s population, yet no African country holds a permanent seat on the Security Council.
Ramaphosa described the situation as unjust and unsustainable, renewing South Africa’s call for comprehensive reform of the Council.
He said reform should make the body more representative, transparent, accountable and effective, reflecting changes in the international balance of power since the UN system was established.
Ramaphosa also outlined several areas in which Brics could contribute to that process. The grouping should maintain a united position in support of reform, demonstrate that multilateral cooperation can deliver practical results and promote global governance that is more equitable, accountable and focused on development.
He further positioned Brics as a potential bridge across geopolitical divisions, arguing that dialogue is increasingly important in a fragmented international environment.
South Africa’s participation in the summit therefore extends beyond economic cooperation, with Pretoria seeking to advance its longstanding position on multilateral reform, international law and greater representation for developing countries.
Ramaphosa concluded by calling for stronger multilateralism through both reform and action, while stressing that Africa and the broader Global South should have a meaningful role in shaping the future international order.