She said this was in line with the belief that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, which is the fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter.
Dlamini Zuma was addressing students and academics of the Oxford University in London in the United Kingdom over the weekend.
She had been invited to address them on the current and future role of South Africa in international politics, as part of the country's ten years of democracy celebrations.
The Minister said South Africa wanted to contribute to a world where there were predictable international rules, shared and applied by all without fear or favour and where the multilateral system of governance remained the only response to all challenges facing humanity, including terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, genocide, conflicts or any threat to global peace.
"The United Nations, imperfect as it may be, and its Security Council is still the only legitimate agent for our collective security. Actions outside this multilateral structure may themselves contribute to instability and evidence is abundant," she added.
She said South Africa wanted to contribute to a world that was free from weapons of mass destruction, racism and discrimination of any kind and poverty.
"Building a better world should also mean paying attention to the poor of our world, the globally marginalised, rescuing them from despair, misery, disease, and impoverishment and restoring their hope and dignity," said Dlamini-Zuma.
She added the world possessed sufficient resources to make sure that no child went hungry and that nobody lived in unpleasant conditions and humiliation.
Dlamini Zuma also expressed South Africa's gratitude and solidarity to all people, countries and organisations that supported the anti-apartheid movement.
"These experiences continue to impose a responsibility on us to act nationally and internationally in a way that does not betray that solidarity," she added. - BuaNews
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