Pretoria: As South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency approaches its final six months, the focus should be on fostering multilateral cooperation and finding collective solutions to humanity’s most pressing challenges.
According to South African Government News Agency, Nelson Muffuh, the world’s major economies should aim to develop innovative approaches to complex global issues related to poverty, unemployment, and sustainable development. Muffuh emphasized the necessity for countries that drive the global economy to unite and address inequalities, governance, and trade issues. He described the G20 as an important platform within the broader multilateral system embodied by the UN.
Muffuh was speaking to SAnews during the third Sherpa meeting of the G20, which began on Wednesday at the Sun City Convention Centre in the North West. The event gathered representatives from the world’s largest economies and organizations. Zane Dangor, the Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and South Africa’s G20 Sherpa, delivered the opening remarks.
Muffuh believes that South Africa’s G20 Presidency is making progress in addressing global challenges, with an emphasis on promoting solidarity, equality, and sustainability. The country has already held 70 out of a planned 132 meetings across various working groups, focusing on critical issues affecting the international community.
According to the UN official, the Presidency should strengthen multilateral cooperation as global tensions hinder collective progress. Muffuh noted that the world is not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and stressed the importance of maintaining focus despite challenges. He urged nations to find common ground and make collaborative progress.
A recurring theme from the meetings is the urgent need to overcome geopolitical divisions and work collaboratively on pressing global challenges. Despite ongoing tensions, including notable absences like the United States, Muffuh stated that the G20 remains committed to fostering constructive dialogue and finding common solutions.
He believes that upcoming international gatherings, such as the Financing for Development Conference, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30 Summit), and the UN General Assembly, will provide additional opportunities to enhance the G20’s collaborative efforts and advocate for meaningful global progress.