Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged global leaders to embrace inclusivity, cooperation, and reform as South Africa steers the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) for the first time. Speaking at the opening of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Nasrec in Johannesburg, President Ramaphosa emphasised the significance of hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Foreign Ministers Meeting, hosted by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, takes place under South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’. President Ramaphosa highlighted Africa’s unique challenges, including the impact of climate change, development needs, and the effects of global trade dynamics, underscoring the importance of African voices in global discussions on sustainable development, the digital economy, and green energy.
The President called for greater collaboration between African nations and the rest of the world to address pressing global issues such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, economic inequality, and food insecurity. He emphasised the need for inclusive and coordinated responses to these interconnected challenges, noting the lack of consensus among major powers within the G20 on how to address these issues.
President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, urging the international community to remain committed to this ambitious agenda. He highlighted the G20’s role in providing leadership on global issues, advocating for cooperation, partnership, and solidarity as essential for resolving modern-day challenges.
Emphasising the principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, President Ramaphosa stated that South Africa aims for its G20 Presidency to be inclusive, reflecting the needs and aspirations of all who are part of the G20 family. He called on the G20 to consider the needs of all global citizens in its decisions and policies.
President Ramaphosa also reiterated South Africa’s call for reforms in the United Nations Security Council, the multilateral trading system, and the international financial architecture to make them more representative and responsive to contemporary realities. He emphasised the importance of the UN Charter principles, multilateralism, and international law in G20 endeavors.
Addressing ongoing global conflicts, President Ramaphosa welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and urged diplomatic solutions to global conflicts, drawing from South Africa’s experience in achieving lasting peace through inclusive dialogue.
Outlining South Africa’s vision for its G20 Presidency, President Ramaphosa identified four key priorities: strengthening disaster resilience and response, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising climate finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for sustainable development. He called for increased efforts from international financial institutions and the private sector in supporting post-disaster recovery, addressing debt sustainability, and supporting green energy transitions in developing economies.
President Ramaphosa proposed an inclusive G20 framework for green industrialisation and investment, focusing on the value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals, aligning with global climate agreements.