Cape town: South Africa is the first African country to lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies, known as the G20. South Africa’s G20 Presidency provides global visibility in all provinces as the country prepares to give world leaders an ubuntu welcome to this premier forum in November.
According to South African Government News Agency, as South Africa hosts the G20 Leaders’ Summit, it will be convened under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. The nation aims to create equal opportunities for growth that will impact future generations, aligning with the G20’s core principles of solidarity, equity, and sustainability.
The G20, comprising major economies, represents two-thirds of the global population, 85 percent of global GDP, and 75 percent of international trade. The group wields significant influence in ensuring global development based on the themes of solidarity, equity, and sustainability, particularly as South Africa holds the Presidency.
The G20 provides a platform for world leaders to collaboratively identify solutions to global challenges and establish pathways for economic stability and development worldwide. It also offers an opportunity for social transformation, enabling South Africa to share its transformation story and inspire change globally.
Addressing inequalities and providing fair treatment are crucial for African nations and the global South, which face underdevelopment, hunger, and unemployment due to historical socio-economic deprivation. Reducing these inequalities is a key agenda of the G20, with discussions aimed at mobilizing inclusive growth and support for developing countries.
The G20 deliberations involve a diverse group of participants, including global leaders, government officials, businesses, researchers, women, youth, and experts. This collaborative approach fosters a global partnership for sustainable development and overcoming development obstacles.
The G20’s structure includes 15 working groups in the Sherpa track, focusing on global social issues such as the digital economy, employment, women’s empowerment, energy, climate, education, and health. These groups work towards finding solutions to pressing socio-economic issues.
The digital economy working group is crucial in bridging the digital divide amidst rapid digitization, including the infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diverse sectors. Discussions with AI experts focus on digital skilling, public infrastructure, and enhancing connectivity for inclusive digital development, particularly in the global South.
Cybersecurity is a growing priority in South Africa, necessitating skills development, security infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships to address challenges.
The digital economy and G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) initiatives aim to unlock opportunities, with the EWG focusing on advancing youth employment and gender equality. The Youth 20 (Y20) working group allows young people to influence global policy on critical issues like climate change, while the empowerment of women working group advances gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Gender equality and women’s empowerment align with Sustainable Development Goal 5, part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Beijing Platform for Action adopted in 1995. With only five years remaining to achieve these targets, significant efforts are needed to create more developed societies.
New engagement groups, such as Township20, have been formed to showcase South Africa’s townships’ cultural, financial, and innovative capabilities. South Africa aims to use the G20 platform to address domestic challenges beyond economic issues, working with other nations to overcome barriers to development and contribute to a sustainable global future.