Naledi Pandor

Meeting of BRICS L-R Sergey Lavrov, S. Jaishankar, Wang Yi, Naledi Pandor, Carlos Alberto Franco Franca foreign ministers in New York City on 22 September 2022

Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor is Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa.

Multipolarity

Naledi Pandor Praises Multipolarity

Verbatim from an X Post dated March 14, 2024:

"In this clip, South Africa’s foreign minister gives a robust defence of a multipolar world.

Speaking at a recent ANC conference, Naledi Pandor explained why it was important that all states have a voice on the geopolitical stage - especially when it comes to things like the imposition of sanctions. If powerful states like the US try to impose their will on others by going round such checks and balances as the UN, then smaller nations will always be at risk of economic blackmail - if not worse.

However, is Pandor putting too much faith in the UN? Given the way some nations abuse their veto on the Security Council, some say it’s no longer the guard it once was. Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated."

Reshaping Global Cooperation

In October 2023, Naledi Pandor spoke at an event at Georgetown University titled: "Reshaping Global Cooperation: A Conversation with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor".

Excerpt:

"Pandor praised the United Nations for focusing on critical topics like climate change, food security, pandemic preparedness, women’s equality and financial inclusion for women. While discussions on these subjects are crucial, Pandor suggested that the lengthy declarations produced at these meetings need to be mined for actionable implementation strategies. “I’m worried that we may talk a lot, but we might not be acting to change a lot,” she added.

In part, Pandor passed the baton to academia in envisioning a more productive future for the UN. “We do believe that the UN is in need of reform. And we think you, in the academic spaces, can assist in generating debate as to the nature of change we should be seeing,” she said. “After all, knowledge production happens here, not in parliaments, right?”

"In her remarks at SFS [School of Foreign Service], Pandor delivered a call to action for South Africa, as well as the international community. Her emphasis on transformation for the greater good, the urgency of industrialization in Africa and the need for tangible results from international dialogues created a clear outline for South Africa’s future. Her message serves as a reminder that in this evolving international relations landscape, meaningful action is essential for reshaping global cooperation to be more inclusive and productive.

African National Congress

As at 20 December 2007, Naledi Pandor was listed as a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress. The African National Congress is South Africa's current ruling party and has been since April 1994 when the government became a non-racial democracy. The ANC is supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).