Category: South Africa Government

Posted on

G20 Leaders’ Summit declaration ‘revolutionary’ for Africa, Global South

Source: Government of South Africa

G20 Leaders’ Summit declaration ‘revolutionary’ for Africa, Global South

“The world is here, the African continent is here, [global] institutions are here. Multilateralism has been affirmed. The multi-polar world is in real action.”

These were the words of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, following the announcement that the G20 Leaders’ Summit has adopted a declaration.

The Minister spoke to the media on the sidelines of the first day of the two-day Leaders’ Summit on Saturday. 

The historical summit – held on the African continent for the first time – is being held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

“We see this as a platform that affirms multilateralism. Multilateralism has served the world very well since the second world war and this platform is affirming that,” Lamola said.

He noted that the venue chosen to host the summit is symbolic of South Africa’s aims to build a world of mutual cooperation.

“We are glad that we are talking about a number of issues to bridge between the Global South and the Global North. Is it not ironic that we have placed it here in Soweto…which used to be a black township [and] on my right is Joburg North which used to be an only white area. 

“We have brought everyone here to say that this is the bridge that the global north and south must breach so that all of us can work together for the best and for the benefit of humanity,” he noted.

On the declaration itself, particularly on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the Minister said it is a pivotal step for Africa.

“On the African continent, very few content creators get any resources…TikTok, Apple and so forth. But this G20 speaks about how the African continent must not just be a consumer of artificial intelligence but it must be at the source of innovation, research, data centres and all those platforms.

“So, this is very key also for young people of this continent…this being a youthful continent. This G20 will revolutionarise how the African continent participates in the global economy.

“We are really glad as the South African government that finally… [the G20 Presidency] has culminated into a progressive declaration…that will revolutionarise how the global south participates and plays in the global economy,” Lamola remarked.

This as Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya earlier confirmed that the leaders of the G20 have reached a consensus for a G20 Leaders’ Summit declaration to be adopted.

READ | G20 Leaders’ Summit adopts declaration

“[The declaration] has been adopted by the leaders here at the summit. We were edging closer and closer to that unanimous adoption and now we have a summit declaration adopted,” said Magwenya.

In his opening address at the Summit earlier, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the first-ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil must reflect the aspirations of both the continent and the wider global community.
READ | G20 must reflect aspirations of Africa and the world 

–SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

119 views

Posted on

G20 Leaders’ Summit adopts declaration

Source: Government of South Africa

G20 Leaders’ Summit adopts declaration

Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has confirmed that the leaders of the G20 have reached a consensus for a G20 Leaders’ Summit declaration to be adopted.

Magwenya was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit held at the Nasrec Expo Centre, in Johannesburg.

“[The declaration] has been adopted by the leaders here at the summit. We were edging closer and closer to that unanimous adoption and now we have a summit declaration adopted.

“There was a slight change in the programme. Normally the adoption happens right at the end but throughout the day yesterday, during various bilateral talks, there was a sense that we should actually move to have the summit declaration adopted first as a first order of the day and then proceed with the rest of the day,” he said.

The spokesperson explained some of the elements within the declaration particularly as it relates to conflicts across the world.

“What the declaration does, it affirms the centrality of the UN Charter with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and avoiding the use of force in resolving the issues of dispute.

“The declaration highlights, in particular, the four of the gravest conflicts in the world namely: the DRC, Sudan, Ukraine and Palestine.

Facing questions on the absence of the USA, Magwenya highlighted that government has communicated that it will not do the symbolic handover the G20 Presidency gavel to a “junior official”.

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the USA would send a Charge’ d’ Affaires – an embassy official – to recognise the handover.

“We have communicated that officially [and] we have communicated that publicly. It has never been done before and it’s not going to happen and start now with South Africa.

“The President will not handover to a junior embassy official. It’s a breach of protocol that is not going to be accommodated or allowed in this instance.

“It is a position of principle. America chose to boycott the summit. That is their choice and that’s their prerogative to do so. But what cannot happen is a breach of protocol being forced,” he said.

The spokesperson affirmed South Africa’s commitment to engaging with countries.

“We are a sovereign country. We will always engage with other countries in a respectful and considerate manner as we have always done particularly with the US considering all the challenges that we’ve faced in trying to reset that relationship.

“However, one must also give consideration that you have more than one country. It’s the G20, plus the [African Union], plus the [European Union] therefore we can’t just bend the rules for one country. We need to respect the countries who have been part of the process, who’ve worked tirelessly to make sure that this G20 is a success that it is now.

“We need to move forward,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB

275 views

Posted on

G20 must reflect aspirations of Africa and the world 

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the first-ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil must reflect the aspirations of both the continent and the wider global community.

Opening the two-day gathering at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre on Saturday, the President noted that while the G20 once focused mainly on macroeconomic issues, it now tackles a broad range of priorities including trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy and climate change.

In his address this morning, the President said G20 countries understand that progress on all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

“Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people around the world who are at the greatest risk of being left behind. This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations,” President Ramaphosa said.

He further told those attending the gathering that by promoting equality, they strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations. 

“It is essential that we break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography. Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

“We seek stability because it attracts investment, improves planning and reduces the risk of global economic shocks. And we prioritise inclusive and vibrant markets because they drive innovation and efficiency.

“Thriving economies lift people out of poverty, encourage greater investment and trade, and generate the revenue needed to invest in public goods,” he said.

Impact and multilateralism 

The President urged the leaders to make greater and faster progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.  

“We must continue the reform of the international financial architecture, ensuring that institutions are strengthened, are more inclusive and are equipped to meet the challenges both of the present and the future.

He said that the G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on African countries and that there must a mobilisation of finance for a just energy transition, increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing economy countries. 

He said the first Leaders’ Summit “carries the hopes, and must reflect the aspirations, of the people of this continent and of the world.”

“We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature or the impact of the first African G20 Presidency. This G20 Leaders’ Summit has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened,” he said.

The President thanked all the delegations that have worked together with South Africa in good faith to produce a worthy G20 outcome document for this historic leaders’ meeting.
He added that the G20 underscores the value and relevance of multilateralism while also a sending a message of hope.

“It recognises that the challenges we all face can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership. The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.

“It sends a message of hope and solidarity,” he said. SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

President Ramaphosa underscores SA’s commitment and responsibility as G20 President

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa told delegates attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit that South Africa understands the responsibility of being entrusted with the Presidency of the G20.

“In the execution of its task as the President of the G20, South Africa has throughout the past year – through its stewardship of some 130 meetings in various parts of South Africa, in other countries on the African continent and beyond our shores – sought to undertake this task with care and diligence,” President Ramaphosa said.

In his opening remarks at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, on Saturday, President Ramaphosa said South Africa is deeply aware of the profound responsibility that membership of the community of nations places upon South Africa.

South Africa is hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit under the theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’.

“We have sought at all times to preserve the integrity and stature of the G20, a premier forum of international economic cooperation,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa told the delegates that the deliberations of the G20 have an impact on the lives of all members of the global community.

“From its initial focus on broad macroeconomic issues, the G20 is now engaged on matters such as trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy, environment and climate change, among others.

“As the G20 countries, we understand that progress on each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

“In pursuit of, and in conformity with, the founding mission of the G20, South Africa adopted the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ for its G20 Presidency,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa said through solidarity, the G20 can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people around the world who are at the greatest risk of being left behind.

“This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations. By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations.

“The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is not only unjust and unsustainable. It is also one of the greatest impediments to sustainable growth,” the President said.

The President pointed out that it is essential that the G20 break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography.

“Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” the President said.

The President told the delegates that as a founding member of the G20, South Africa has sought to ensure that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent find expression firmly and permanently on the agenda of the G20.

“This is important not only for the people of Africa and the Global South. It is vital for global stability and security, alleviating resource pressures, managing population movements and reducing the risk of conflict. 

“We seek stability because it attracts investment, improves planning and reduces the risk of global economic shocks. And we prioritise inclusive and vibrant markets because they drive innovation and efficiency,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said thriving economies lift people out of poverty, encourage greater investment and trade, and generate the revenue needed to invest in public goods.

“It is therefore essential that we make greater and faster progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he said, adding that the G20 must continue the reform of the international financial architecture, ensuring that institutions are strengthened, are more inclusive and are equipped to meet the challenges both of the present and the future.    

South Africa is the first African country to host the G20 Summit. South Africa assumed the year-long G20 Presidency in December 2024, becoming the first African state to host the prestigious global forum.

Since taking over the reigns as the President of the G20, South Africa has hosted 130 preparatory meetings which were incident free and used the opportunity to showcase the diversity of our provinces and tourism destinations. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

Posted on

Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening of the G20 Leaders Summit

Source: President of South Africa –

Distinguished Heads of State and Government of G20 Members and Invited Guest Countries,
Heads of Regional Economic Communities,
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres,
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Heads of International Organisations,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished Guests,

It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you all to the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held on African soil. 

We gather here at the Cradle of Humankind to affirm our common humanity.

We gather here to affirm the value of partnership and cooperation, to finding common solutions to shared problems.

Shortly before the dawn of a democratic and free South Africa in 1994, the founding father of our democracy President, Nelson Mandela, said: “The time has come for South Africa to take up its rightful and responsible place in the community of nations.”

Today, as we open this G20 Leader’s Summit, South Africa is deeply aware of the profound responsibility that membership of the community of nations places upon us.

We also understand the responsibility of being entrusted with the Presidency of the G20. 

In the execution of its task as the President of the G20, South Africa has throughout the past year – through its stewardship of some 130 meetings in various parts of South Africa, in other countries on the African continent and beyond our shores – sought to undertake this task with care and diligence.

We have sought at all times to preserve the integrity and stature of the G20, a premier forum of international economic cooperation.

The deliberations of the G20 have an impact on the lives of all members of the global community.

From its initial focus on broad macroeconomic issues, the G20 is now engaged on matters such as trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy, environment and climate change, among others.

As the G20 countries, we understand that progress on each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

In pursuit of, and in conformity with, the founding mission of the G20, South Africa adopted the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ for its G20 Presidency.

Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people around the world who are at the greatest risk of being left behind. 

This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations.

By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations.

The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is not only unjust and unsustainable. It is also one of the greatest impediments to sustainable growth.

It is essential that we break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography. 

Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

As a founding member of the G20, South Africa has sought to ensure that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent find expression firmly and permanently on the agenda of the G20.

This is important not only for the people of Africa and the Global South 

It is vital for global stability and security, alleviating resource pressures, managing population movements and reducing the risk of conflict. 

We seek stability because it attracts investment, improves planning and reduces the risk of global economic shocks. 

And we prioritise inclusive and vibrant markets because they drive innovation and efficiency. 

Thriving economies lift people out of poverty, encourage greater investment and trade, and generate the revenue needed to invest in public goods. 

The threats facing humanity today – from escalating geopolitical tensions, global warming, pandemics, energy and food insecurity to inequality, unemployment, extreme poverty and armed conflict – jeopardise our collective future. 

It is therefore essential that we make greater and faster progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

We welcome the Sevilla Commitment adopted in June this year, which sets forth a renewed global framework for financing for development.

We must use this framework to catalyse development investments at scale in developing economy countries.

We must continue the reform of the international financial architecture, ensuring that institutions are strengthened, are more inclusive and are equipped to meet the challenges both of the present and the future.

At the beginning of our G20 Presidency, we identified four high-level priorities.

Firstly, we focused on action to strengthen disaster resilience and response.

While climate-induced natural disasters affect countries around the world, they have a particularly devastating impact on countries that cannot afford the costs of recovery and rebuilding. 

We have agreed that it is essential for the global community, international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to scale up post-disaster reconstruction. 

Secondly, we agreed that we must take action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.

The G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on African countries. 

Thirdly, we said we should mobilise finance for a just energy transition, increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing economy countries. 

Fourthly, we emphasised the importance of harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development through the beneficiation of the minerals at the place of extraction. 

In addition to these four priorities, we have prioritised issues of inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, inequality, employment, food security and artificial intelligence. 

Much of the work of the past year will be presented and considered at this meeting.

We commend in particular the G20@20 Review, which provides a detailed account of the path we have travelled as the G20.

It describes both our achievements and our challenges, and makes proposals on how we can organise ourselves to be more focused on our core mandate.

We welcome the work of the G20 Africa Expert Panel, led by South Africa’s former Minister of Finance Mr Trevor Manuel.

The panel argues that African efforts to accelerate productive investment require new global partnerships and strong multilateral cooperation. It calls on the G20 to support this effort by building a global policy framework that unlocks long-term finance at lower cost and investment at scale.

We are also grateful for the work of the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, led by Professor Joseph Stiglitz.

The recommendations of the Extraordinary Committee provide a solid platform on which to launch a renewed global effort to tackle inequality.

As this is the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Africa, it carries the hopes, and must reflect the aspirations, of the people of this continent and of the world.

We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature or the impact of the first African G20 Presidency.

This G20 Leaders’ Summit has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened.

We thank all the delegations that have worked together with us in good faith to produce a worthy G20 outcome document for this historic leaders’ meeting.

The G20 underscores the value and relevance of multilateralism.

It recognises that the challenges we all face can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership. 

The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.

It sends a message of hope and solidarity.

It tells the world that as the leaders of the G20, we will keep fast to our solemn pledge to leave no person, no community and no country behind.

I thank you
 

Posted on

G20 Leaders arrive to warm welcome at Nasrec Expo Centre

Source: Government of South Africa

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Deputy President Paul Mashatile and several Cabinet ministers arrived early this morning at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg to welcome G20 leaders attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which officially opened at 10am today and ends tomorrow.

Some G20 leaders arrived in South Africa during the week, while others touched down last night. Only a few delegations are expected to arrive this morning.

South Africa is the first African country to host the G20 Summit, having assumed the year-long G20 Presidency in December 2024. The country is hosting the global forum under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”

Earlier this month, Cabinet expressed its full confidence in South Africa’s ability to host a successful G20 Leaders’ Summit.

 Since taking over the reigns as the President of the G20, the country has convened 130 incident-free preparatory meetings, showcasing the diversity of its provinces and tourism destinations.

At the media centre housed at the Summit’s venue, it’s a hive of activity with journalists preparing themselves to cover the Summit from the centre while others are conducting interviews with ministers and senior government officials.

 Outside the venue, police are directing arriving vehicles and conducting thorough inspections as part of heightened security measures.

Security around the Nasrec Expo Centre has been significantly tightened, with multiple road closures in the surrounding area. 

Earlier this week, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) reaffirmed the country’s readiness to ensure the safety of delegates and the public during the Summit.

NATJOINTS confirmed that while a soft lockdown is currently in place around the venue, a hard lockdown will be enforced from Friday, 21 November to Monday, 24 November 2025 in the vicinity of the FNB Stadium, which is housing the accreditation centre and the Nasrec Expo Conference centre, which is hosting dignitaries and delegates.

According to NATJOINTS, the hard lockdown means that only individuals with valid accreditation will be permitted in and around the precinct. All vehicles arriving at the venue and in the vicinity are undergoing stringent security checks before being allowed to enter the premises. – SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

Law enforcement on high guard as dignitaries pour in for G20 Leaders’ Summit

Source: Government of South Africa

Law enforcement is on high alert and ready to ensure the safe, smooth and secure running of the G20 Leaders’ Summit commencing at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg today.

This, according to South African Police Service national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, who spoke to SAnews at the centre just ahead of the summit.

Thousands of people, including heads of state and government, their entourages, delegates and the media are gathering at the global gathering.

“We are quite confident of the security measures that we’ve put in place to ensure that this event takes place in a safe and secure environment…a lot of planning and coordination. But now it’s time for execution and we are quite confident that we will ensure the smooth running of this two-day G20 Leaders’ Summit.

“We have been meeting regularly as the security cluster…and looking at our track record, we have no doubt that this event will take place in a very peaceful environment,” Mathe said.

The spokesperson reminded South Africans of SAPS’ track record of keeping gatherings of this magnitude safe.

She added assurance that regular policing continues where citizens live.

“NATJOINTS has been at the forefront of ensuring that events of this magnitude take place in a very secure environment. We’ve held the BRICS Summit, AGOA conference and the 2010 World Cup and all those events took place in a very secure environment and thanks to our law enforcement agencies who are on the ground doing what is expected of them…to enforce the law.

“Citizens need not worry. We are still having members at the police stations. Our members are still working and any victim of crime, any complaint, you will be taken care of at the police station. Officers at the stations are still working to keep you safe,” she said.

The centre and surrounding areas have been earmarked as red zones only accessible by accreditation.

“If you are not in possession of a valid accreditation card then you cannot be in this vicinity because there’s heightened police operations [and] security is tight.

“We have declared this area as a vehicle-free zone. Meaning that we have implemented a park and ride system. At the park and ride, you get a screening point with police officers where we verify your accreditation card and check for prohibited items,” she told SAnews.

Speakers’ corners have been made for those who have applied to protest at the event. 

These areas will also be under police guard – ensuring that South Africans can exercise their right to protest under a safe environment.

However, those who step outside of the bounds of the law will be dealt with.

“We are warning those who want to test our security measures that we are not going to allow any lawlessness. We are not going to allow any criminality. We are here to stamp the authority of the state.

“We are not going to allow any disruptions. Any testing of security measures and you’ll find yourself on the wrong side and we will not hesitate to deal decisively with that ill-discipline,” Mathe warned.

South Africans are urged to take heed of road closures and traffic control during the weekend.

“We request and urge the people of South Africa, in the true spirit of ubuntu, to cooperate with law enforcement. It’s just for a short period of time where there will be traffic disruptions and traffic congestions and not being able to use certain roads.

“Let us show our international visitors the true spirit of ubuntu. Let us stand together to ensure the successful hosting of this particular event,” Mathe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

G20 Leaders’ Summit officially kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

Heads of State and Government, international organisations, leaders and high-level delegates have arrived for the much anticipated opening day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The summit – a historic, first of its kind for the African continent – is being held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, from today until Sunday.

Leaders from countries including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Namibia, China and Malaysia have all already arrived for the summit.

Deputy government spokesperson, William Baloyi, explained to SAnews the order that dignitaries are set to arrive in.

“We started with international organisations like the United Nations. After that, we received the invited countries –heads of state and leaders of government of the countries that we have invited.

“After that, President Ramaphosa will then receive the G20 members. They have been synchronised to arrive from Sandton to Nasrec,” he said.

Baloyi told SAnews that preparations have gone according to plan.

“We are hosting the whole world here and the preparations thus far have gone so well. 

“When you host the world, it’s not easy. Our infrastructure – our ports of entry – is excellent. [Dignitaries] have arrived and we were able to take them to our beautiful facilities in the hospitality industry,” he said.

The deputy spokesperson called on South Africans to offer up their world-famous hospitality to international visitors.

“We want to thank South Africans for the 130 meetings that were held [preceding the Leaders’ Summit]. South Africans attended, South Africans made inputs and made sure that they go well.

“Events of this magnitude inconvenience people. How they use the roads and even now we’ve closed some of the roads. However, the patience and understanding of South Africans has made sure that the people are able to feel welcome.,

“South African road users, we’ve appealed to them…and they have nicely made sure that they play their part. This is part of what makes us South Africans part of a great nation,” Baloyi concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

High debt serving cost hinder Africa’s development

Source: Government of South Africa

African leaders have underscored the urgent need for coordinated action to tackle the immediate burden of high debt service costs and address the underlying causes of recurring debt crises on the continent.

These sentiments were expressed by African Heads of State and Government, the African Union (AU), and African organisations, on the margins of the 2025 Group Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit, during a working dinner that was convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday in Johannesburg. 

They expressed strong support for the G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability, which signals the intent of the G20 to do more to tackle unsustainable levels of debt alongside the rising cost of capital, particularly for African countries.

Africa faces growing financing pressures as rising debt service costs severely constrain development.

By end-2024, public debt had reached USD 1.815 trillion, while annual debt servicing climbed to USD 163 billion, leaving 57% of Africans living in countries where debt payments exceed health or education spending.

The high level of debt is unsustainable and undermines efforts towards sustainable development and poverty alleviation. 

“African leaders supported the creation of a global Borrowers Platform to strengthen technical cooperation and amplify borrower voices, with a United Nations entity as its secretariat. 

“The establishment of the platform will improve the governance and operation of the global debt architecture. African leaders committed to working together in a spirit of cooperation to establish the Borrowers’ Platform over the next year and welcomed South Africa’s offer to convene the inaugural meeting of the platform in 2026,” the Presidency said.

President Ramaphosa highlighted the rising debt burden on African countries as an issue that requires action by the international community.

The Africa Expert Panel, chaired by former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel, presented its report to African leaders, who welcomed its proposals. 

The report puts forward simple, straightforward actions to accelerate investment in Africa, including disclosing project-level financial data to reduce investment costs and making simple adjustments to global banking regulations to unlock more finance for infrastructure and development.

Further actions include ensuring that the methods of credit rating agencies are sound, their sources fully disclosed, and their actions subject to regulatory oversight; and strengthening debt transparency and ensuring that creditors participate in reconciling debt data. 

“President Ramaphosa committed to take the proposals of the panel forward not only in the G20 but in other international fora, working closely with the African Union and other partners.

“African leaders further welcomed the Report of the G20 Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality which was commissioned under South Africa’s G20 Presidency and supported the Committee’s proposal to create a permanent International Panel on Inequality which will provide policymakers, the private sector, and the public with authoritative assessments on inequality, and ensure that inequality continues to be discussed by leaders as in the G20 and other multilateral fora,” the Presidency said.

The meeting discussed the four high-level priorities that anchored the work of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, namely:

  • Strengthening disaster resilience and response;
  • Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries;
  • Mobilising finance for a just energy transition; and
  • Harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Heads of State and Government from the world’s largest economies will gather on Saturday and Sunday in Johannesburg at the G20 Leaders’ Summit to discuss and coordinate on major global issues.

G20 members include the world’s major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and since 2023, the African Union. – SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

First ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

A historic moment is unfolding in Johannesburg today as the world turns its eyes to Africa.

For the first time ever, the G20 Leaders’ Summit is being held on African soil.

South Africa – and by extension the continent – is poised to centre its priorities and those of the Global South on the global agenda like never before.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted the G20 Presidency gavel from Brazil in 2024, he pledged that South Africa would lead with solidarity at the forefront.

“We will work to ensure that no one is left behind. The world is faced with severe challenges and crises. Through partnerships across society, and by reigniting our common humanity, South Africa will seek to harness global collective energy to confront these challenges.

“Through our G20 Presidency, we will seek to strengthen solidarity. Whether it is in Gaza, Sudan or Ukraine, we must all stand in solidarity with those people who are facing hardship and suffering. We must stand in solidarity with those countries that are most vulnerable to pandemics and other global public health emergencies,” he said.

Furthermore, Africa and the global south would not be left behind.

“South Africa’s Presidency will be the first time an African country has presided over the G20.

“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African Continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” the President affirmed.

Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability

During the official launch of the G20 Presidency, President Ramaphosa outlined South Africa’s theme for the year: Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.

“Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people at the greatest risk of being left behind. This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations.

“The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is unjust and unsustainable. By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations. We aim to break down divisions of economic status, gender, race, geography or any other characteristic.

“Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In line with our theme, we will seek to strengthen and advance the international effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he explained.

He noted the importance of ensuring that the country’s G20 Presidency is inclusive – the people’s G20.

“Dialogue with civil society and other non-government institutions will be conducted through various engagement groups.

“These engagement groups are organised according to sectors, such as business, labour, civil society, parliamentary bodies and the judiciary.

“These engagement groups also include science bodies, think tanks, and audit institutions, as well as institutions of higher learning, specific groups for women and youth including vulnerable groups,” he said.

Indeed, engagement groups held some 100 preparatory meetings during the year which culminated in an inclusive G20 Social Summit held this week.

The Social Summit agreed on a declaration which was handed to President Ramaphosa to present to global leaders over the next two days.

Global praise

As the opening ceremony drew closer yesterday, heads of state and government and their entourages began to arrive for the summit – received by President Ramaphosa, ministers and high-ranking government officials.

In a statement ahead of the summit, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the leaders’ summit as a “particularly special Summit given that it would be the first G20 Summit being held in Africa”.

“During India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023, the African Union had become a member of the G20.

“The Summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. The theme of this year’s G20 has been ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, by which South Africa has carried forward the outcomes from the previous Summits held in New Delhi, India and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I will present India’s perspective at the Summit in line with our vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One earth, One Family and One future,’” the statement read.

On Friday evening during the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Summit hosted with President Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, UK Prime Minister Keir Startmer added to the chorus of voices congratulating South Africa on its Presidency.

“What a fantastic thing it is that the G20 is being hosted in Africa for the first time here in South Africa. What a wonderful opportunity.

“It has been a great success and the next two days will build on that success. Congratulations,” Starmer remarked.

In a press conference, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres praised South Africa’s efforts to put challenges that hit developing nations the hardest like finance debt reform and climate change.

“I first of all pay tribute to leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa. I think he has put on the table all the issues that matter in relation to the needs, the financial and economic needs, of the developing countries in general and African countries in particular.

“It’s time to have a real global international financial system, which main preoccupation should be [to] address the challenges that developing countries face. Will the G20 be able to move in that direction? We will see. But I think that South Africa has done its part putting those things clearly on the table,” Guterres said.

A time for South Africa, Africa and the global south

The wait is over, world leaders have touched down in Johannesburg and the countdown has finally reached its peak.

South Africa is hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit – the final, illustrious stage of South Africa’s year-long G20 Presidency. – SAnews.gov.za