Address by Mr Marius Fransman, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation During a Panel Discussion on South Africa's Second Term on the UN Security Council--Expectations, Objectives and Challenges: Centre for Mediation and the Centre for Human Rights University of Pretoria: Wednesday, 30 March 2011 (Discussion‪)‬

I would like to preface my contribution to this panel discussion with a comment from our Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoane Mashabane speaking on the occasion of South Africa's second term on the United Nations (UN) Security Council when she said: "The United Nations itself is also at the dawn of a new era. Negotiations for its reform, including the expansion of its Security Council, are at an advanced stage--there should be no turning back. Our world is in need of a Security Council of the United Nations that has been expanded in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, and with improved working methods. This will make the Security Council more legitimate, representative and effective as a body--so that it can become more transparent and accountable. The successful conclusion of these negotiations and the consequent implementation of the reforms will ensure that indeed the United Nations is well and better positioned to play its role as a multilateral organization that holds out any hope for the future of our planet and its people". It is therefore no secret what some of the key agenda items of South Africa's second term will be. It is also not beyond imagination that such a process will be hard-fought, tough, robust but absolutely necessary for the advancement of global peace, security and justice for all.