As part of its G20 Presidency, South Africa has successfully hosted a series of high-level G20 working groups and task force meetings during this month, focusing on global challenges such as corruption, food security, disaster risk reduction, agriculture, and tourism.
The first Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting, held in Cape Town from 3 to 5 March 2025, focused on mechanisms to enhance the implementation of legal instruments to fight corruption.
Cabinet said in a statement that this meeting was an opportunity for participants to establish the agenda and lay the groundwork for future discussions, encouraging dialogue and collaboration to strengthen anti-corruption strategies.
“During this meeting, participants discussed and agreed on these several key priorities which are strengthening Public Sector Integrity; Increasing Asset Recovery Efficiency; Inclusive Participation; and Whistle-Blower Protection,” Cabinet said.
Agriculture Working Group
The First Agriculture Working Group Meeting, held virtually on 3 and 4 March, discussed critical issues that affect agricultural stakeholders worldwide and agreed on priorities for the year ahead.
The group established four key priorities:
- Promoting inclusive market participation and food security;
- Empowering youth and women in agrifood systems;
- Fostering innovation and technology transfer and
- Building climate resilience for sustainable agriculture
Tourism Working Group
On 5 March, the First Tourism Working Group Meeting, also held virtually, deliberated on how tourism can be used to change people’s lives, communities and the world.
The group also identified four focus areas for the year ahead namely:
- Leveraging People-Centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation to support travel and tourism start-ups and SMMEs,
- Enhancing tourism financing and investment to promote equality and sustainability,
- Improving air connectivity for seamless travel, and
- Boosting resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development.
Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group
First Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting also held virtually on 5 March, discussed the acceleration of early warnings for all initiatives which is a key global target set by the United Nations and reinforced the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
“South Africa sees this meeting as a key international forum to drive the agenda of a shared responsibility to build resilience, strengthen our cooperation, and drive meaningful action that is needed to prevent an escalation or exacerbation of risk,” Cabinet said.
Key priorities included:
- addressing Inequalities and Reducing Vulnerabilities
- Global Coverage of Early Warning Systems
- Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- Financing for Disaster Risk Reduction
- Disaster Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction; and
- Ecosystems-Based Approaches for DRR/Nature-Based Solutions.
Food Security Task Force
The First Task Force Meeting on Food Security, held virtually on 5 March, discussed policies and programs to improve food security.
“Participants agreed to build a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable food system. They also committed to address key challenges like trade barriers, funding for food production, and the impact of climate change on food supply chains,” Cabinet said.
Some of the priorities outcomes discussed are the following:
- Stronger food security policies
- Stable food prices
- Clear regulations & standards
- G20 Action Plan for Food Security; and
- Ministerial approval & implementation
G20 Outreach Programme
On 7 March 2025, the G20 Outreach Programme was held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, to encourage public engagement in South Africa’s G20 presidency.
Citizens were urged to welcome international delegates, promote South Africa’s cultural heritage, and share positive narratives about the country.
“The gathering was used to encourage the people of this country to get involved in welcoming our guests to the country as we continue to host meetings in various parts of the country and to promote their culture and heritage. South Africans were also encouraged to tell a good story about their country,” Cabinet said.
The following G20 Working Groups and Task Forces meetings are scheduled to take place until the end of March 2025:
- First Task Force Meeting: Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment, and Reduce Inequality: 17 March 2025 – virtual.
- First Trade and Investment Working Group Meeting: 18-20 March 2025 – virtual.
- Second Health Working Group: 26-28 March 2025 – Durban.
- First Climate and Environment Sustainability Working Group Meeting: 25-28 March 2025 – virtual.
For more information on these various G20 meetings and their outcomes can be accessed on www.g20.org OR www.g20.org.za– SAnews.gov.za
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