The country’s leader says Pretoria will focus on inclusive economic growth, food security, and artificial intelligence
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to use his country’s G20 presidency to “firmly” push the development priorities of Africa and the Global South. He made the statement in a speech at the group’s summit in Brazil on Tuesday.
Africa’s most advanced economy took over the G20 presidency from Brazil at the high-profile two-day gathering on November 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro.
Accepting the chairmanship, President Ramaphosa praised his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for his “inspirational leadership” and a “most successful G20 presidency.”
“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,” he stated.
He added that Pretoria will prioritize inclusive economic growth, food security, and artificial intelligence during its leadership under the theme of “solidarity, equality, and sustainability.”
“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. At this moment, many countries in Africa are experiencing worsening m-pox outbreaks that call for urgent international action,” Ramaphosa stated.
Pretoria had been the sole African voice in the Group of 20 major economies until the African Union was formally admitted as a member at the bloc’s summit in New Delhi, India, last year. Former Senegalese President Macky Sall initially advocated for a permanent AU seat at the G20 in 2022, claiming that the move would mean that “Africa can, at last, be represented where decisions are taken that affect 1.4 billion Africans.” Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also supports calls for the continental union to be properly represented on the UN Security Council, has stated that its G20 membership will reflect African nations’ desire to have their voices strongly heard.
On Tuesday, President Ramaphosa said South Africa will “work to ensure that no one is left behind” during its one-year G20 presidency, which begins in 2025.
“We applaud all G20 members, led by Brazil, in finalizing the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration, which outlines the actions we must take together to build a better world,” he stated.
The 22-page G20 declaration includes calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli forces have been on an offensive campaign since October last year following an attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
