President Cyril Ramaphosa Arrives In Brazil For G20 Leaders' Summit In Rio De Janeiro

President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Brazil over the weekend to lead South Africa at the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The summit, which will take place on Monday and Tuesday, will be focusing on "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet."

Ramaphosa on Sunday took part in the launch of the "Leveraging the Potential of Renewables – The Road to Johannesburg Campaign" and on Monday, he will present South Africa's statements during plenary sessions, focusing on the fight against hunger and poverty and the reform of global governance institutions.

Brazil's G20 Presidency is continuing the rotating leadership of the Global South and will prioritize issues like social inclusion, the fight against hunger and poverty, energy transitions, and sustainable development. It will also focus on reforming global governance institutions.

The G20 is the main forum for global economic cooperation and governance, representing 85% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the global population.

It aims to promote effective multilateral cooperation by bringing together major economies to ensure economic stability and sustainable growth worldwide, SA News reported.

The G20 consists of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. It also includes two organizations: the African Union and the European Union.

Ramaphosa is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Leaders' Summit. South Africa's participation in the G20 is guided by four strategic foreign policy pillars, according to the Presidency.

South Africa's participation in the G20 focuses on four key areas: advancing national interests, supporting Africa's sustainable development, strengthening South-South Cooperation, and influencing global governance by promoting the South's agenda in North-South dialogues.

The country aims to help shape a fairer, more inclusive international order, supporting multilateral processes under the United Nations. Ramphosa is joined by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

South Africa is all set to take on the G20 Presidency from Dec. 1 this year to Nov. 30, 2025.