Ramaphosa heads to UNGA80, pledges to push peace and global reform

By Thapelo Molefe

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New York to lead South Africa’s delegation at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), where he is expected to use the global stage to call for peace, inclusive development, and stronger cooperation among nations.

The high-level segment, which begins on Tuesday, coincides with the UN’s 80th anniversary under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”

Ramaphosa’s visit to the general assembly comes amid strained relations with the United States – the country’s second largest trading partner – including the implementation of 30% reciprocal tariffs earlier this year.

Pretoria’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on charges of genocide in Gaza was applauded by many in the Global South but drew sharp criticism from Washington, which views the case as politically motivated and harmful to US