Deputy President Mashatile Wants South Africa's G20 Presidency To Promote Equity, Sustainability

Deputy President Paul Mashatile wants South Africa's G20 Presidency to help create a more equitable, resilient and sustainable world.

Preparations are in progress for South Africa's G20 Presidency and the hosting of the summit in 2025. South Africa is set to take over the chair from Brazil on Dec. 1.

Mashatile is currently in the United Kingdom for the second part of his working visit, which aims to strengthen trade and investment relations between South Africa and the UK, as well as attract investors.

Speaking at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University in London, the deputy president said that once the presidency is completed, it should highlight the voices, perspectives and leadership of the developing world in addressing important global challenges.

The deputy president stated that the focus of the Presidency will be on the developmental agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He expressed concern over the slow progress in promoting sustainable development worldwide, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to tackle issues like increasing inequality, rising hunger, growing extreme poverty, the current global economy, climate and energy crises, the debt crisis faced by developing countries, and illegal financial flows, which all hinder sustainable development in these nations.

Mashatile also mentioned that South Africa will prioritize the issue of vital minerals and work to raise awareness about it during its Presidency.

"We will concentrate on utilizing natural resources, tackling beneficiation challenges, mobilizing domestic resources, developing a critical mineral strategy, managing interdependent and diverse supply chains, and leveraging natural capital," the deputy president said, SA News reported.

Furthermore, he noted that South Africa will aim to use its G20 Presidency to promote global reform, especially regarding changes to the global financial system and reforms of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Multilateral Development Banks.

He announced that efforts are currently underway to determine South Africa's priorities and goals for its G20 Presidency in 2025.

As South Africa prepares for its G20 Presidency, works on specific goals, and finalizes its agenda, he shared that the issues he discussed will play an important role in shaping and advancing the agenda.