Norwegian envoy praises SA G20 Presidency and chairship

The Norwegian Ambassador to South Africa, Gjermund Saether, has lauded South Africa’s Presidency and chairship of the G20 saying the country is doing a great job and Norway supports it despite criticism by some countries.

This is an apparent reference to US president Donald Trump who expressed doubt about attending the G20 despite the fact that the US is the next president of G20 to take over from South Africa later this year.

Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently boycotted the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Johannesburg due to the way the US administration views Pretoria’s land reform policy.

SA’s G20 chairship

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition on African Norwegian Solidarity held at the Apartheid Museum on Saturday, Saether said one of the manifestations of the good cooperation between South Africa and Norway was Pretoria’s move to extend an invitation to Norway to participate as an invited guest country during the G20.

“South Africa is doing a very good job chairing the G20. It is surprising and disappointing to see some countries questioning the Sustainable Development Goals and the fight for women’s rights,” Saether said.

“Norway, and so many other countries inside and outside of G20, fully support South Africa’s priorities as the chair of the G20,” he added.

There is no doubt that the struggle for democracy, human rights and self-determination faces some headwinds.

In all parts of the world, there are countries in democratic decline, including several countries in Europe, and he named Russia as one of them.

“In a geopolitical shifting landscape, we must work against the old imperial idea that “might is right”.

“The international community has a compass, or we can call it a rulebook, designed to prevent conflict. It does not solve all problems, but it is a good starting point. It’s called international law, and it includes the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and international human rights. These principles must be applied in a consistent manner,” Saether said.

The envoy lashed out at Israel saying although it had a right to defend itself following the October 2023 attacks inside Israel by Hamas, that exercise of power was constrained by international law.

“All parties need to take active action to protect civilians, and to allow for humanitarian access. We all witnessed that this did not happen.

“With the support of South Africa and 136 countries in the UN General Assembly, Norway sent a powerful message by referring Israel to the International Court of Justice a few months back. It is unacceptable for Israel to block the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians living under occupation.

“Norway thinks international courts are there to be used, something South Africa is doing in their own case against Israel’s war in Palestine in the International Court of Justice. Those countries who disagree with South Africa can present their view in the court in the Hague,” Saether said.

Need for African voices

Norway appreciated South Africa’s engagement in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict through the African Peace Initiative and this week’s visit of President Zelensky to Pretoria.

“Norway will support Ukraine’s right to self-determination, just as we supported the same right for South-Africans, Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and others. The fundamental principle of international law also applies in another part of Norway’s neighborhood, the Arctic. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

The Ambassador called for multilateralism and reform of the multilateral institutions, including the composition of the United Nations Security Council.

“Looking at the challenges of climate change, war and poverty, to name a few, it is clear that the world needs multilateralism more than ever. We need solidarity more than ever and we need reformed multilateral institutions that reflect the world of today.

“Now is the time for countries in Europe and Africa to intensify their cooperation to achieve this. Reform of the composition of the UN Security Council is long overdue and the African continent must be much better represented.

“When we supported the struggle for liberation, we also supported the quest for a larger African role in global affairs. This is more acute than ever.

“It is not only about morals and the fact that African voices have not been heard. It is in Norway’s own interest that we live in an organised world in which countries on this continent have a fair say.

“The future influence of this continent in world affairs should be, must be, and will be bigger than before,” Saether said.

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