By Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that South Africa will use the G20 Presidency to strengthen and advance the international effort to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
South Africa officially launched its G20 Presidency on Tuesday after taking over from Brazil.
“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” the president reiterated on Tuesday.
Ramaphosa said the country was taking over the Presidency at time when when the world was facing severe challenges and the climate change crisis was worsening.
“Across the world, billions of people are affected by underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger and unemployment.
“The outlook for global economic growth remains subdued, and many economies carry the burden of unsustainable levels of debt,” he said
The president said geopolitical instability, conflict and war were causing further hardship and suffering.
This was all happening at a time of great technological change, which presented both opportunities and risks.
He said the country would use the G20 Presidency to secure urgent progress for Africa.
“Through South Africa’s G20 Presidency we will work to build a better Africa and a better world, and to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
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