Championing Africa’s voice in global governance
S outh Africa's G20 presidency is a defining moment not just for the country, but for the African con- tinent. As G20 president, South Africa is uniquely positioned to champion the priorities of emerging economies and to drive the African development agenda within the G20 framework. The G20 is an important vehicle to amplify the voices of emerging econ- omies and champion a global agenda rooted in sustainable development and inclusive progress. South Africa aims to foster collaborative solutions that reflect the shared aspirations of developing economy countries, while reshaping the global discourse around equity, resilience and sustainability. When South Africa assumed the G20 presidency in December 2024, it responded to the precarious global climate with the theme 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability'. The G20 is the premier forum of economic cooperation, concerned with the stewardship of the global economy, especially during crises such as the 2008 global economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The G20 is not an alternative to the United Nations but an informal grouping complementing the work of the UN. This has enabled the G20 to be agile during times of crisis and a catalyst for change in the global gov- ernance system. At the core of our presidency is how the G20 should collectively respond to create an environment of inclusive Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, President, South Africa
economic growth, reduced inequality and sustainable development, espe- cially in the Global South and the African continent. South Africa has built on the developmental agenda advanced by the presidencies of Indo- nesia, India and Brazil. The strategic priorities of South Africa’s G20 presidency include: l Strengthening disaster resil- ience and response: Calling for global cooperation–including finan- cial institutions and the private sector–to scale up post-disaster reconstruction. l Ensuring debt sustainability for developing economies: Advancing solutions for high deficits and liquid- ity challenges, extending debt relief and addressing the cost of capital. l Mobilising finance for a just energy transition: Seeking increased climate finance flows to developing economies, strengthening multilateral development banks and leveraging private capital for initia- tives like the Just Energy Transition Partnership. l Leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth: Promoting value addition near extraction sites and developing low-carbon manufac- turing chains. South Africa aims to champion the use of critical minerals as engines for growth and develop- ment in Africa.
8 // G20 SOUTH AFRICA: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2025
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