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the much-needed economic resources to uplift their economies in order to provide infrastructure and basic services such as education and health care. We urge the world at large to treat this problem with the seriousness and urgency that it deserves. We also need to close the gap that has painfully divided people between the rich and the poor and which has divided countries between big and small economies. Global inequality and economic exclusion have become a serious threat to global peace and stability. Inclusive growth is thus a peace, security and prosperity imperative. Inclusive growth will, however, remain a distant dream if powerful nations continue to put their national interests ahead of the global collective interest.The African continent remains committed through the African Union and its Peace and Security Architecture to resolve the remaining conflict areas. We have committed ourselves to silence the guns by 2020. We appeal to the UN Security Council in particular to support African peace operations so that we can achieve this noble goal.The situation in Libya, South Sudan and the Central African Republic remains a continental priority. We strongly urge the UN Security Council to better align and coordinate with the African Union in efforts to bring about peace in these sister countries and the continent at large. Beyond the continent, we remain concerned about threats of terrorism. Fifteen years after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, international terrorism remains a challenge that no single country or region can successfully deal with. We have witnessed the rise of ISIS and are horrified by its brutal and senseless killings. The conflicts in both Libya and Syria have provided a fertile ground for the terrorists to carry out their unjustified terrorist activities. The conflict in Syria has led to chaos in that country in under five years with devastating effect on the stability of the region.The deadlock in the Security Council on the Syrian question exposes the inherent structural dysfunction of the 1945, post Second World War consensus. We must therefore, ask ourselves if the UN, and in particular the UN Security Council as currently configured, can fulfil its mandate in addressing the challenges of the twenty first century? The UN Security Council is supposed to act in our collective interest without being bogged down by domestic narrow interests of few states. It is imperative and urgent that the United Nations, and in particular the Security Council, should be reformed. South Africa has been calling for, and we will continue to call for, the fundamental reform of the United Nation’s Security Council in order to ensure the representation of Africa. One billion people cannot continue to be denied a voice in this manner. The lack of progress in finding a durable solution to the Palestinian question and the Saharawi Arab Republic’s struggle for self-determination remain a major concern for us. It is important that the United Nations should carry out its historic mission in ensuring that the two longest outstanding decolonization and occupation issues are resolved once and for all, in fulfillment of the UN Charter objectives. The signing of the Paris Agreement last year marked a historic moment in humanity’s resolve to minimize the impact of climate change and address the human contribution to it. I would like to take this opportunity to commend our Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki Moon, for the extra-ordinary leadership that he provided since COP15 in Copenhagen. He remained unwavering in his commitment to see a legally binding agreement finally agreed to by all. The adoption of the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action during COP17 was an historic milestone and marked a turning point in the negotiation of a legally binding instrument. It provided a clear roadmap with targets and deadlines. On behalf of the people and government of South Africa I would like to take this opportunity to salute the outgoing Secretary General of the UN, His Excellency Mr Ban Ki Moon, for the sterling and outstanding manner with which he steered the affairs of the organization in the past decade. ■ This is an edited version of the statement by President Zuma during the General Debate of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 20 September in New York. USA. For more information, visit: www.thepresidency.gov.za. Above: Jacob Zuma“INCLUSIVE GROWTH IS A PEACE, SECURITY AND PROSPERITY IMPERATIVE ”Photo Credit: The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)THE G20 MEMBER COUNTRIES 035