By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed optimism and determination in continuing on a path of inclusive, equitable development for the Global South as South Africa officially assumes the G20 Presidency.
It marks a historic moment for Africa as it is the first time that a country from the continent has headed up the presidency.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the G20 Sumiit in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on Tuesday, the president emphasised the need to address global challenges, including economic inequality, climate change and food insecurity.
He reiterated that the South African G20 Presidency would focus on three high-level priorities.
They included tackling disparities within and among nations, particularly addressing the structural inequalities that undermine global economic stability; prioritising initiatives to ensure access to sustainable and equitable food systems; and leveraging advancements in technology to drive sustainable development and improve resilience against global challenges.
Speaking to an audience that included Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other global leaders, Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude to Brazil for its leadership.
He lauded Brazil’s “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet” agenda and its inclusion of civil society through the inaugural G20 Social Summit.
“We will continue this innovative platform for engagement during our Presidency,” Ramaphosa said.
He underscored the importance of global solidarity in addressing pressing crises, called for collective action to alleviate suffering in conflict zones, including Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, and highlighted worsening outbreaks of m-pox in Africa, urging immediate international attention.
Acknowledging the disparities in pandemic preparedness and climate action funding, the president called for equitable solutions, pledging to advocate for predictable financing mechanisms to empower developing nations in combating climate change and public health emergencies.
“The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries are unjust and unsustainable,” he said.
As the first African nation to lead the G20, Ramaphosa said that South Africa intended to amplify the voices of the Global South and prioritise the development needs of the African continent.
He noted that crippling debt continued to hinder progress in many countries, vowing to address this through sustainable debt solutions and inclusive economic policies.
The president stressed the importance of collective efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and urged the G20 to adopt a forward-looking approach, aligning with South Africa’s theme of solidarity and sustainability.
“The achievement of the SDGs must be a priority for the next five presidencies of the G20,” he said.
The presidency will see over 130 meetings held across the country, providing a platform for dialogue and action, with Ramaphosa inviting G20 members to participate actively in shaping solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges.
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