Johannesburg: South Africa's G20 Presidency has not only elevated African voices, but galvanised global momentum toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. This is according to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who updated the media on Monday, on South Africa's preparations ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit, set to take place in Johannesburg, this weekend.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Lamola emphasized that South Africa is determined to shape global affairs rather than just participate in them. He spoke from the NASREC precinct's National Arts and Sports Recreation Events Centre, highlighting its symbolic role during the apartheid era and its continued relevance today. The venue was described as a testament to South Africa's journey of transformation and resilience.
Lamola articulated that South Africa's G20 Presidency, the first on African soil, is a decisive moment for the continent and the Global South. It serves as a call to bridge the developmental divide between the Global North and the Global South, advocating for equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. With 130 of the 133 official G20 meetings already concluded, the upcoming Sherpa Meeting, Social Summit, and Leaders' Summit are set to conclude what he called a 'transformative journey' for South Africa and its partners.
He pointed to the stabilisation in energy and logistics as key milestones, crediting the Ministry of Electricity, Eskom's board, and its CEO for ending load shedding. This progress is part of broader reforms driven by Operation Vulindlela, which aims to unlock South Africa's economic potential. Structural reforms have led to declining unemployment, removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, and an upgraded sovereign credit rating by S and P Global Ratings.
Lamola outlined four key priorities anchoring South Africa's Presidency: strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability, mobilising finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. Task forces on inclusive growth, food security, and artificial intelligence have been established to drive these priorities forward.
South Africa has also coordinated the G20@20 review, synthesising global perspectives into a high-level report for the Summit. Following the African Union's inclusion in the G20 in 2023, South Africa worked closely with the AU to align Africa's development priorities with global economic governance.
Key achievements include a successful G20 High-Level Dialogue on debt sustainability, the establishment of the Africa Expert Panel, and outreach meetings on food security and industrialisation. South Africa has also advocated for reform of the international financial architecture to better serve developing economies.
Lamola announced several legacy initiatives from the Presidency, including the AI Initiative for Africa, Technology Policy Assistance Facility, G20 Clean Cooking Legacy Programme, and more. He also highlighted the launch of the Report of the G20 Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality, recommending the creation of a permanent international inequality panel.
Despite challenges like crime, corruption, and unemployment, Lamola praised South Africans' resilience. The G20 Leaders' Summit marks South Africa's role not just as host but as a global convener of solidarity, reform, and shared prosperity, celebrating national achievements in sports and other fields.