An unreformed system of global governance is hindering the global South to realise its full development, says Public Service and Administration Minister, Ms Noxolo Kiviet.
Speaking at the BRICS seminar on Governance and Cultural Exchange Forum under the theme “Promoting Global Civilisational Initiative Towards Modernisation,” Minister Kiviet said it is the conditions-based international financial system that makes it difficult for the global South to realise their full development.
This theme, if followed through, she said, could contribute to the achievement of accelerated growth, sustainable development, and inclusive multilateralism as per the theme of this year’s BRICS Summit that kicks off tomorrow, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in Sandton, South Africa.
“The countries are forced to reform their national governance systems in favour of imported ones that do not consider local realities and diversities. Governance systems that do not consider local realities and diversities often disrupt peace and undermine development.
“Governance cannot and should not be static. It must evolve in response to internal and external changes and most importantly evolve to meet our common aspirations,” she said.
The 2023 BRICS Summit is an international relations conference attended by heads of state of the five member states: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
According to the Minister, those who do not evolve their governance run a risk of being left behind and having their legitimacy eroded.
She said the system of global governance should be reformed to respond to multiple complexities without imposing uniform values on different realities in the era of poly-crisis.
“The system of global governance based on the myth of universality impedes the global South of self-determination.
“This seminar on Governance takes place at a time when the current system of global governance is in dire need of reform to be inclusive and discard the notion of universality into one that considers diversity and multiple realities.
“The global civilisational Initiative which is at the centre of the theme for this seminar seeks to dispel the universal myth of one reality, one governance system, one civilisation, one way of knowing and one economic system into a world of multiple realities and encourages the co-existence of and cooperation among different civilisations in pursuit of common aspirations,” she said.
According to Minister Kiviet, the global civilisational Initiative represents respect for the diversity of civilizations, advocates for humanity’s common aspirations such as peace, freedom, equality, and development and encourages the strengthening of dialogue through people-to-people exchanges to foster mutual understanding.
“The global south must contend with pursuing development and environment-related goals whilst the north has already attained most of their development aspirations.
“Financing remains skewed and often comes in the form of loans with various conditions despite debt being an emotive issue for most of the global south,” she said.
Strengthening Governance
Minister Kiviet said the BRICS countries must continue to work towards the reform of the international and domestic systems of governance that contribute to balanced and equitable development across the world in pursuit of shared prosperity for all.
Reform of institutions
The Minister further highlighted the need for continuous exchange as different civilisations on how to build and increasingly strengthen institutions to deliver the best services.
“We need to build institutions that are resilient, dynamic, and innovative. It is well acknowledged that efficient institutions are a necessary condition for driving and achieving successful socio-economic transformation,” she said.
Strengthening Partnerships for Development
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has called for partnerships to end global poverty by the year 2030.
The BRICS, rooted in the appreciation of and respect for diversity is an important example for partnerships for development.
“We should continue to strengthen our cooperation to support the reform of institutions and build public sector capacity to lead successful socio-economic transformation,” said Minister Kiviet.
People-to-people Exchanges
The Minister said people-to-people exchanges under the paradigm of the global civilisational initiative should lead beyond mutual understanding to share in innovation and contribute to the skills revolution to prepare young people for the jobs, to narrow the skills and digital divide in the global south.
