STORY: South African president deplores investment in war instead of livelihoods
DATELINE: Sept. 20, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:41
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of UN Headquarters
2. various of UNGA Hall
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, South African President
4. various of delegates
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, South African President

STORYLINE:

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday deplored investment in war instead of livelihoods.

Ramaphosa said so at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, South African President
"It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much money on war, and in fact trillions are being spent on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the basic needs of billions of people in the world."

In the aftermath of World War II, the nations of the world made a solemn commitment to save future generations from the horror and suffering of war. Through the UN Charter, these nations accepted a shared mandate to foster peace and to promote fundamental human rights, social progress and a better standard of life for all, he said.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, South African President"And yet, as we gather here, much of humanity is confronted by war and conflict, by want and hunger, by disease and environmental damage and disaster. Solidarity and trust between states is being eroded. Inequality, poverty and unemployment are deepening across many nations in the world. At the moment when every human effort should be directed towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda, our attention and energies have once again been diverted by the scourge of war. But these woes, these divisions, these seemingly intractable troubles, can and must be overcome. At this moment, we are all called upon to reaffirm these essential qualities that define our common humanity. These qualities must be evident in how we work together as a global community and as nations of the world to end war and conflict."

The international community has the means and the desire to confront and overcome the enormous challenges that face humanity today, he said, calling on nations to demonstrate both the will and the resolve to secure a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for our world and for the generations that will follow.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)