South Africa's G20 Presidency To Focus On Global South, African Issues

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa's G20 Presidency will focus more on the interests of the Global South, especially Africa.

During the Troika high-level address at the United Nations (UN) on Thursday, Lamola revealed that preparations are in progress for South Africa to take over the G20 Presidency and host the G20 Summit in 2025.

He stated that South Africa's theme will highlight solidarity, equality and sustainable development. South Africa will assume the G20 Chair from Brazil on Dec. 1 of this year.

"This theme speaks to the developmental priorities of the Global South, particularly, the African continent, which is now fully represented with the admission of the African Union (AU) in the G20," he told delegates, SA News reported.

The G20 group includes 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union as of this year. It brings together the world's major economies. The group uses a Troika system for hosting, which includes the previous, current and upcoming Presidencies.

Brazil's Presidency is part of a Global South Troika that includes India, Brazil and South Africa. Lamola emphasized that South Africa will work to ensure the G20 gives strategic guidance to create a more fair, representative and effective international system.

The minister noted that the theme will show South Africa's commitment to building on the work and successes of the G20 Presidencies from Indonesia, India and Brazil.

The minister also mentioned that South Africa's main theme will focus on the country's priorities including speeding up efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union's Agenda 2063 and addressing the serious issue of debt problems faced by many countries in the Global South.

The country will also work on reaching an agreement to reform the International Financial Architecture (IFA) and the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

He explained that this is important to make sure these systems are effective in tackling sustainable development and cross-border challenges. Furthermore, there will be a focus on fighting climate change, which severely impacts food security in developing countries.

South Africa also aims to address the problem of harmful mining practices by certain countries and companies that seek Africa's raw materials and critical minerals.