South Africa takes over the Presidency of intergovernmental forum – G20. It is a pivotal moment for the country and is young Africans present plan for 2025.
Reportedly, the leaders’ Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro on Nov 18 and 19, 2024, where Brazil was symbolically handed over the coordination of the G20’s work to South Africa.
The presidency of South Africa will officially begin on Dec 01, 2024. This will be for the first time that the continent with the most young people in the world will host the G20 and the youth is excited to proceed with their work.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Federative Republic of Brazil on Nov 16, to lead the participation of South Africa at the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit taking place in Rio de Janeiro.
The Rio G20 Leaders’ Summit was held under the theme ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet’ between Nov 18 and 19, 2024. Ramaphosa participated in the launch of Leveraging the Potential of Renewables – The Road to Johannesburg Campaign on Nov 17, 2024.
G20 Presidency of Brazil continued the global south rotating presidency. During its tenure, it prioritized social inclusion and particularly the fight against hunger and poverty.
Also considering, energy transitions and the promotion of sustainable development in its economic, social, environmental dimensions and the reform of global governance Institutions.
Leaders’ Summit was held on Nov 18, where the President Ramaphosa delivered the statement on behalf of South Africa at the respective plenary sessions over the fight against hunger and poverty, later the reform of the institutions for global governance.
During the ongoing Summit, South Africa was officially handed the G20 Presidency and then continued to consolidate initiatives of its global south predecessors from Dec 01, 2024, under the rallying call of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.
Notably, G20 is the premier forum for global economic cooperation and global governance. It represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade and two-thirds of the world population.
G20 is an important mode for promoting effective multi-lateral cooperation by bringing together the world’s leading economies, to ensure the global economic stability and sustainable growth.
Group of 20 (G20) is made up of 19 countries that consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Turkiye, UK and USA.
Altogether, these are called the African Union and the European Union. The President conducted the bilateral meetings on the margins of the Leaders’ Summit.
Participation of South Africa in G20 is guided by the four strategic foreign policy pillars. To advance national interests, to attain domestic objectives, that enhances the African agenda and promotes sustainable development of Africa South-South Cooperation, especially to influence the global multi-lateral architecture by advancing the agenda of the South through North-South Dialogue.
South Africa’s participation in G20 saw strategic direction in establishing more equitable, representative and fit-for-purpose international order, supporting the main multilateral processes under the UN.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation – Ronald Lamola and Minister in the presidency – Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, at the Leaders’ Summit.