UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday called on countries to choose cooperation and solidarity over unilateralism and isolation to improve post-COVID global governance.

"As the international community, let us choose cooperation above unilateralism. And we would also say it is best to choose solidarity above isolation," Ramaphosa told a summit-level debate of the Security Council on "global governance after COVID-19."

"We should also have the courage to choose unity of purpose above narrow self-interest," he said.

South Africa and the African Union support the call by the UN secretary-general for a global cease-fire and the scaling-up of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable societies. South Africa calls on all parties to armed conflict to use this opportunity to work toward the peaceful resolution of conflicts and addressing the humanitarian needs of their own populations, said Ramaphosa.

South Africa supports the call for the waiving of unilateral punitive measures such as sanctions during the pandemic in order to enable affected countries to secure much-needed supplies and support, he said.

As countries look to the post-COVID era, they have to address their economic, social, humanitarian, and environmental needs. All countries have to act with urgency to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, said Ramaphosa.

He wanted the UN Security Council to better reflect and represent the UN membership.

It is imperative that the Security Council continues to work closely with regional organizations, including the African Union, he said. "We must coordinate our efforts and strengthen multilateralism if we are to contain the damage that this pandemic could cause."

The threat to lives, livelihoods and social stability posed by COVID-19 has significant consequences for global peace and security. Situations of instability and conflict have the potential to worsen. And there is a possibility of new forms of social unrest that are emerging. Vital gains made in political processes toward peace are also under threat, said Ramaphosa.

He asked the Security Council to continue to play a key role in ensuring that this pandemic does not undermine international peace and security in any country in the world. Enditem

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