2017 address by SAIIA National Chairman Mr Fred T Phaswana

Mr Fred T Phaswana warns that the rise of protectionism, populism, and 'post-truth politics' threatens the international cooperation required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris climate change agreement. He highlights the danger of a 'race-to-the-bottom' in corporate taxation and the erosion of multilateralism. Domestically, he argues that South Africa's reputation has been damaged by internal political instability and the government's intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, urging the country to remain an active shaper of a fair rules-based global order.

• The author asserts that the world is currently at a peak risk of military conflict and a reversal of progress in combating disease and poverty, which threatens the success of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris climate change agreement.
• Rising protectionism and populism in Western societies are identified as barriers to the international cooperation and trust needed to provide global public goods.
• The document warns that Britain's departure from the EU could lead to 'race-to-the-bottom' corporate taxation regulations, which would negatively impact developing countries seeking to reduce illicit financial flows and close multinational tax loopholes.
• South Africa's global standing and reputation have been severely damaged by domestic political conflicts, including battles over the President's impeachment and the influence of the populist left (Economic Freedom Fighters).
• The author views the South African government's intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a significant blow to the eradication of state impunity, especially given the lack of functioning alternative institutions in Africa and the 'emasculation' of the SADC Tribunal.

APA

Phaswana, F. T. (2017). 2017 address by SAIIA National Chairman Mr Fred T Phaswana. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/news/2017-address-by-saiia-national-chairman-mr-fred-t-phaswana/

Chicago

Phaswana, Fred T. 2017 address by SAIIA National Chairman Mr Fred T Phaswana. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2017. https://saiia.org.za/news/2017-address-by-saiia-national-chairman-mr-fred-t-phaswana/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Phaswana |first1=Fred T |title=2017 address by SAIIA National Chairman Mr Fred T Phaswana |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=23 February 2017 |url=https://saiia.org.za/news/2017-address-by-saiia-national-chairman-mr-fred-t-phaswana/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{phaswana20172017, author = {Phaswana, Fred T}, title = {{2017 address by SAIIA National Chairman Mr Fred T Phaswana}}, publisher = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2017}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/news/2017-address-by-saiia-national-chairman-mr-fred-t-phaswana/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }