The world lacks a truly representative, fair and rule-based international governance system
Are we heading towards another East-West divide? But what about the tensions in US and EU?
Mr. Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner Blew the Minds in Keynote Address @ ESU
Mr. Khalid Malik hosted the Discussion on “Pakistan-South Africa Relations in the Changing World Order”.
Report : Tazeen Akhtar
Pics Raja Ghulam Farid
Mr. Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa has said, the world lacks a truly representative, fair and rule-based international governance system, that includes developing countries from Africa, and the rest of the South – such as Pakistan. The current World Order cannot even abide by the UN Charter or enforce existing International Laws. We live in an upside-down world, where a self-centred tendency of “might is right”; “survival of the fittest”; or realpolitik, appears to be the only language that we currently understand, including non-state actors.
He was addressing to the members of English-Speaking Union Islamabad as keynote speaker in a forum hosted by Mr Khalid Malik, President ESU Pakistan. The topic of the forum was : “Pakistan-South Africa Relations in the Changing World Order”.
Former Deputy Speaker National Assembly Wazir Ahmed Jogezai, Brig R Sajjad , Ambassador Morocco Mohamed Karmoun, President Twin City Organization Sajid Iqbal, former ambassadors, civil military officials, media persons were also present.
Mr. Jordaan raised question in the background of above mentioned scenario, ” Now where does that leave South Africa and Pakistan? There is a saying that, if elephants fight, the grass gets trampled – so, as relative middle powers, we both know that we do need global partnerships, but we also know that we need to tread carefully.”
On bilateral relations, he said, the two countries enjoy cordial diplomatic relations since the democratic changes in South Africa on 27 April 1994, spanning many areas of bilateral cooperation. Both countries suffered from colonialism in the past and Pakistan was a staunch supporter of South Africa’s historic struggle against racism and the system of Apartheid.
Former President Nelson Mandela visited Pakistan twice in 1992 (shortly after his prison release); and 1999 for a State Visit, when he addressed a joint sitting of Parliament. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attended President Mandela’s inauguration in 1994 and his funeral in 2013.
At the economic level, South Africa remains among Pakistan’s biggest trading partners in Africa. Almost a quarter of Pakistan’s total current trade with Africa, is with South Africa. The total volume of trade stood at approximately USD 534 million in 2024, suggesting that much more needs to be done to further grow bilateral commercial ties. Also, we need to pursue more mutually beneficial technical cooperation, cultural exchanges and skills training.
From the people-to-people cooperation perspective, Mr. Jordaan shared, South Africa and Pakistan enjoy excellent sports ties, especially on the cricket field. Just recently, we literally had all formats of cricket teams playing in Pakistan, namely our Protea Women’s ODI team, our 5-day Test Match team, our T20 team and our Men’s ODI team. This area of cooperation truly forms the glue that binds us together as nations.
On the Changing World Order, Acting High Commissioner noted, We live in a very unstable world today, with great power rivalry and geo-strategic competition like never before. The Covid-19 pandemic was barely over, when the flood gates of inter- and intra-state conflicts opened everywhere, turning whatever “order”, we’ve had, upside down: The invasion of Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, the civil war in Sudan, the conflict in the DRC, Myanmar, war between Israel and Iran … are but a few. Even this neighbourhood was not spared, with acute tensions remaining on your western borders.
He expressed concern that ,given the current polarised global environment with so many senseless conflicts, brutality and human suffering reminiscent of medieval times; the daily destruction of costly infra-structure; and the inhumane displacement, dispossession and impoverishment of people on a scale rarely seen before, one wonders how did humanity arrive at this point?
He blew the minds asking , what “World Order” are we currently living in, if at all? Are we heading towards a new form of a Cold War, another East-West divide? But what about the tensions within alliances, such as between the US and the EU? Or are we witnessing a North-South divide, between richer and poorer countries? Or perhaps it is a Unipolar World (lead by the US) vs a Multipolar World (lead by China, or BRICS nations)? And does multilateralism still work, or even still exist, except for the United Nations and all its agencies that are struggling to stay relevant?
“And what about powerful non-state actors? If Elon Musk succeeds in landing on Mars (provided the Chinese are not there before him!), why should he put up a US flag there, if he can literally “own” the planet himself? Which jurisdiction would apply on Mars, enforced by whom?, he coninued.
Mr. Jordaan said, the current World Order cannot even abide by the UN Charter or enforce existing International Laws, because implementation rests solely on the shoulders of individual Member States who agreed to them! When the most powerful countries amongst us, such as the P5 of the UNSC, decide to disregard International Law for their own self-interest, the rest of us can basically do nothing but to watch this Wild West movie play out! The world lacks a truly representative, fair and rule-based international governance system, that includes developing countries from Africa, and the rest of the South – such as Pakistan.
We live in an upside-down world, where a self-centred tendency of “might is right”; “survival of the fittest”; or realpolitik, appears to be the only language that we currently understand, including non-state actors.
Mr. Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa
Our modes have shifted towards navigating a world littered with self-interest, aggression and mistrust, where negative human traits such as narrow-minded ambition, egoistic greed, arrogance, coercion, powerplay, disrespect for others, inhumane brutality, discrimination, racism and revenge have all become standard.
“The new normal seems to be to increase your defence spending and prepare for war, rather than to work towards collective prosperity and sustainable development, to jointly address poverty and injustices; and to save our planet from irreversible ecological damage due to climate change. Pakistan is very vulnerable in terms of climate change, he mentioned.
Now where does that leave South Africa and Pakistan?
There is a saying that, if elephants fight, the grass gets trampled – so, as relative middle powers, we both know that we do need global partnerships, but we also know that we need to tread carefully.
As far as South Africa’s foreign policy is concerned, he briefed the guests, we follow an independent, principled position of non-alignment and we promote a strong Africa that forms part of a multipolar world wherein multilateralism, human rights and International Law are respected.
Like all countries, through their networks of international partnerships, South Africa seeks to promote its national interests and values abroad; maximise its socio-economic benefit, create jobs and gain technologically through building mutually beneficial trade, investment and tourism ties; and, also, to contribute meaningfully within the multilateral system seeking a better world.
As a founding BRICS+ member and as President of the recently concluded G20-Summit in Johannesburg, Mr. Jordaan said, South Africa has always made it clear that it is committed to the collective benefit that multilateralism and win-win relationships offer us all.
Accordingly, South Africa presided over the adoption of the G20 Summit Declaration, together with other G20 member countries and two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union, accounting for 85 percent of global GDP. Regrettably, the next G20 Chair, the United States, boycotted the event due to a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa, which we all know is non-existent. We know where the real genocides are taking place.
Fortunately, the G20 hosted by South Africa has reinforced our shared humanity and has fostered collaboration and goodwill. Above all, this G20-Summit has affirmed that our shared goals outweigh our differences. And this is most important.
Mr. Rudolph Pierre Jordaan, Acting High Commissioner of South Africa
During Pakistan’s non-permanent membership of the UNSC, it was clear that Pakistan took this responsibility very serious and demonstrated that it wanted to play a constructive, principled role in addressing global challenges through multilateral means. Joint challenges require joint solutions, not self-centred unilateralism.
The keynote speaker gave a simple message to the listeners that despite having to be pragmatic in seeking mutually beneficial, constructive cooperation with all countries, big and small, one can remain principled, non-aligned and resistant to negative block formation politics, which only limits one’s own sovereignty – apart from being potentially destructive.
On People to People contacts and cooperation, Mr. Jordaan referred to Tourism, like sports and other forms of P2P cooperation, as the best way to learn from each other. Like Pakistan, South Africa is a diverse country in terms of its scenic beauty. He said, From Cape Town’s beautiful mountains, winelands and pristine beaches to our luxury lodges, wildlife safaris and vast floral kingdoms, South Africa is like a world in one country.
“So, for those of you have not yet visited South Africa, remember that nothing beats an African sunset, while enjoying some of excellent South African wines and our diverse cuisine at a top-quality restaurant. Let’s focus on the good things that international partnerships and friendships offer, he concluded.
The keynote speaker took questions from the participants and answered them to their satisfaction. He said that South African authorities are working hard on maintaining law and order in the country. Today , the crime, including robbery etc is at the lowest level. But, he assured , most parts of the country are more safer than many other countries of the world.
