South Africa To Focus On Inclusive Growth In G20 Presidency

South Africa will use its G20 presidency to focus on advancing inclusive economic growth, food security and artificial intelligence, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.

The Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva passed the ceremonial mallet to the South African President at the closing session of the G20 summit.

In his speech at the handover ceremony, President Ramaphosa  spelt out South Africa’s G20 presidency priorities.

President Ramaphosa said that when South Africa takes over the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2024, Pretoria will attempt to strengthen and reform the multilateral systems.

He said, “South Africa has adopted the G20 Presidency theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.”

“As South Africa, we undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards achieving greater global economic growth and sustainable development.”

“We will work to ensure that no one is left behind,” Ramaphosa said.

“Through our G20 Presidency, we will seek to strengthen solidarity. Whether it is in Gaza, Sudan or Ukraine, we must all stand in solidarity with those people who are facing hardship and suffering.”

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva earlier urged G20 leaders to accelerate their national climate targets, calling on them to reach net zero climate emissions five to 10 years ahead of schedule.

President Ramaphosa said, “South Africa has adopted the G20 Presidency theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.”

He applauded all G20 members, led by Brazil, in finalising the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration.

“The Declaration outlines the actions we must take together to build a better world,” Ramaphosa posted on X.

He said, “Through our G20 Presidency, we will work to tackle inequality, which is a major threat to global economic growth and stability.”

“At this moment, many countries in Africa are experiencing worsening m-pox outbreaks that call for urgent international action.”

With the world on track for its warmest year on record, leaders are trying to shore up a global response to climate change before Donald Trump retakes the U.S. presidency in January.

He is reportedly preparing to roll back U.S. policy on global warming and exit the landmark Paris Agreement.

The G20 leaders gathering for a summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, called in a joint statement on Monday for “rapidly and substantially increasing climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources” to respond to global warming.

(With inputs from Reuters)