South Africa’s G20 Presidency will be centred more on the interests of the Global South agenda, especially Africa, says International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola.
Preparations are underway for South Africa’s G20 Presidency and hosting the G20 Summit in 2025. South Africa is expected to take over Chair of the G20 from December 1 this year, from Brazil.
Lamola announced that South Africa’s theme will focus on solidarity, equality and sustainable development.
“This theme speaks to the developmental priorities of the Global South, particularly, the African continent, which is now fully represented with the admission of the African Union (AU) in the G20,” he told delegates during the Troika high-level address at the United Nations (UN).
The G20 (or the Group 20) comprises 19 States, plus the European Union and the AU as of this year – bringing together the world’s major and systemically important economies.
The G20 operates a Troika system of hosting, where the Troika consists of the past, present, and next Presidencies.
Brazil’s Presidency is also in a Global South Troika – India-Brazil-South Africa.
Lamola stressed that South Africa will ensure that the G20 provides strategic direction towards establishing a “more equitable, representative and fit-for-purpose international order”.
According to the Minister, the theme will also confirm South Africa’s intention to build on the efforts and successes of the G20 Presidencies of Indonesia, India and Brazil.
He believes this will ensure that the needs, interests and aspirations of the developing economies of the Global South, and Africa especially, drive the overall G20 agenda going forward.
According to the Minister, South Africa’s overarching theme will also zoom in on the country’s priorities. These include accelerating efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of Agenda 2063 of the AU and addressing the critical issue of debt vulnerability of many countries of the global South.
The country will also focus on creating consensus around reform of the International Financial Architecture (IFA) and the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
“This is critical to ensure that they become fit for purpose to adequately address sustainable development and transboundary challenges,” Lamola explained.
In addition, the emphasis will also be on combating climate change, which has devastating consequences for food security in developing countries.
South Africa also hopes to address issues of predatory mining by some countries and corporations, in the quest for Africa’s raw materials and critical minerals.
“South Africa will take forward the outcomes of the report of the UN Secretary’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals,” Lamola said, adding that strengthening the Multilateral Trading System was also key.
The other key issues the nation will advance include industrialisation, employment and inequality, food security, the blue economy and artificial intelligence.
Lamola took the time to commend Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s call, as the G20 President, for the reinvigoration of multilateralism, and the reform of global governance institutions to make it more representative and inclusive.
“We further thank Brazil for its innovative leadership in calling for this G20 meeting and inviting all UN Members.
“This meeting today and its call to action further demonstrates the collective global solidarity in addressing current and future global challenges. South Africa will carry forward the momentum laid by Brazil on the reform of the multilateral institutions,” Lamola said.
Meanwhile, he said that South Africa’s G20 Presidency will mark the end of the first cycle of G20 Presidencies.
“We intend to undertake a review of the first cycle of G20 Presidencies. This is critical to ensure implementation. Brazil can count on us to maintain the momentum they’ve started I thank you for your attention,” he added.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation to Brazil as the current President of the G20 for convening this meeting.
The President also commended the excellent way Brazil has been steering the work of the G20 during its Presidency. – SAnews.gov.za
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