sAfrica's G20 President will be held in 2026, following the highly successful G20 presidency in Brazil last year, ahead of the US G20 President. As a major forum for international economic cooperation, the G20 plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance in major international economic issues.
For the first time in its history, the G20 is hosted on the African continent after its approval of the African Union as a member of the G20. This is a very important moment in that it was in Africa that South Africa, the continent, and humans developed their ability and impulses to cooperate.
Cooperation is one of the key markers of human development that touches many aspects of life, from survival and social organization to technological and cultural advances, and is what the G20 was established. Improve cooperation in addressing the challenges facing the world. Cooperation: The foundation of human civilization. Without cooperation and cooperation between individuals, groups, people and nations, humanity cannot advance.
From climate change to pandemics, poverty to terrorism and artificial intelligence, we are once again asked to utilize the most powerful, most enduring, and mutually beneficial cooperation and cooperation of human attributes. This is an era of geopolitical tensions, unilateral tensions, nationalism, protectionism, isolationism, rising debt levels affecting poor countries around the world, and declining common purpose. But this is the moment we should stand together as a global community to solve the problems facing humanity by ending the wars and conflicts that have caused such difficulties and misery for many people around the world.
Cooperation is one of the key markers of human development.
We are called for by the urgency of the moment to act with greater urgency to stop the destruction of our planet. This is the moment to leverage the abundant resources we collectively possess and the incredible techniques we have created to overcome poverty and inequality, inequality, especially the unemployment of young people and the abuse of women at once.
Thirty-three years ago, Nelson Mandela, the founder of a democratic South Africa, spoke here in Davos. He states: “Our interdependence calls for us to take us across the oceans and continents to a common, global home, and we all combine to launch a global attack for development, prosperity and human survival.”
By pursuing this objective and bringing an impact on the G20 mission, South Africa will focus the G20 presidency on three themes: solidarity, equality and sustainable development.
It is South Africa's firm view that these themes should be more representative and responsible for the needs of the world's citizens through the collective actions of the G20 and various multilateral institutions around the world, particularly institutions such as the United Nations (UN), the WTO, and global financial institutions.
We aim to ensure that people and nations are not left behind in order to pursue progress for all, focusing more on how to strengthen solidarity through collective efforts in the G20. One person's rights and freedoms cannot be separated from the rights and freedoms of all people. This is the foundation upon which solidarity is built. One of the biggest obstacles to growth, development and stability is the persistence of domestic and national inequality. The pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to reduce inequality is as economical as it is a social obligation.
As the G20, we need intentional and coordinated efforts to focus on inclusive growth based on reactive trade and investment to grow the poorest people of poor countries' incomes and society, and ensure equal access to opportunities, especially for women and young people. For a nation to flourish, equality and prosperity must be available to everyone, regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs or economic status.
In addition to the enormous gaps in economic capacity and the level of human development, countries in the world face predictable funding for development and climate change, high levels of debt, and lack of vulnerability to the pandemic.
Debt sustainability in low-income countries is one of the four priorities of South Africa's G20 presidency. In the world we live in today, the pursuit of equality and solidarity practices cannot be separated from sustainable development. They need to meet their current needs without compromising their ability to meet their needs.
Action with greater urgency to reduce global emissions is in the interest of all countries, supporting climate action where developed countries must make decisions and support decisions in line with the UN Climate Change Summit. Another South African priority for the G20 presidency is precisely mobilizing finances for the energy transition.
We call for agreements on the increase in the quality and quantity of climate funds for developing countries, as agreed at various UN climate change summits. We continue to appeal to global financial institutions regarding special drawing rights redirects that are left unused. It is not fair that more than 60% of the rights to special drawings go to a few wealthy countries. These drawing rights should be redirected to enable African countries and other regions of the Global South to realize their developmental aspirations, allowing them to invest in infrastructure, industrial development, education and training, and healthcare.
It needs to leverage private capital and use innovative forms of finance and taxation to raise additional resources for sustainable development. Global finance agencies need to derisk and support more funding for emerging economies and developing countries. We need to support national initiatives aimed at addressing climate change, such as the Just Energy Transition partnership, where South Africa has invaded several countries in the global northern region.
As we accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy in an accurate and comprehensive way, we must recognize the damage that climate change has already caused. And it will continue. With this in mind, South Africa has strengthened disaster resilience as another priority of the G20 presidency.
The rate of natural disasters caused by climate affects countries that are least able to afford the costs of recovery and reconstruction. To address this, special funding and insurance mechanisms must be available to expand funding for post-disaster reconstruction. Since the dawn of the industrial age, the benefits of economic growth to humanity have been achieved at the expense of environmental destruction. If we survive and thrive as humanity, we must change this. We must pursue development pathways that harmonize urgent climate action and growth.
Another South African priority for the G20 presidency is to utilize key minerals for inclusive growth and development. A G20 framework for green industrialization and investment is needed to ensure advances in spectacular bargains that promote the addition of value to critical minerals close to extraction sources.
Another South African priority for the G20 presidency is to utilize key minerals for inclusive growth and development.
It is also necessary to develop a low-carbon manufacturing value chain that can support decarbonization and industrial development. It is necessary to promote the addition of local value of beneficiaries and resources at sources. This results in additiveness rather than extractive relationships. As mineral extraction accelerates to meet the needs of the energy transition, countries and communities with these resources are needed to benefit most.
This G20 will be used to defend the use of critical minerals through the Green Industrialization Programme as an engine for growth and development in Africa and the Global South. As this is the first G20 summit held in Africa, it is a valuable platform to showcase Africa's promises. Many agree that Africa is the next frontier in global growth and productivity.
The African continent has the youngest population and unparalleled natural resources funds on all continents.
Africa continues to expand its market for products and services. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) could change the economic and social property of the continent. We call for G20 support from the AFCFTA Adjustment Fund to strengthen comprehensive growth, sustainability and regional integration.
We consider integrating various Africa-related G20 initiatives into flagship agreements for cooperation focused on implementing investments in Africa's production sector in areas such as infrastructure. The infrastructure revolution is driving growth in Africa.
We seek investment in the development of skills for young Africans and economic empowerment of women. In the health sector, the G20 wants to support the production of medicines such as treatments and vaccines to combat the pandemic. Digitalisation of the continent to enhance trade and development is a key enabler. Through the G20 presidency, South Africa is well located to advance global cooperation and build partnerships for growth and development. South Africa has a rich history of inclusive dialogue and common actions.
One person's rights and freedoms cannot be separated from the rights and freedoms of all people.
Over the past few years, the South African government has worked closely with its business and labor social partners to address key national challenges and promote inclusive growth. This culture of cooperation and approach was raised to a higher level with the establishment of the National Unity Government (GNU) following the election held in May 2024. The GNU, made up of 10 political parties, is essential for stability and comprehensive governance, and contributed to greater interest among investors in the South African economic outlook.
The species of human progress was owned in Africa. In Africa, the earliest form of cooperation was fake and developed. As G20 leaders return to Africa, we all call on us to leverage these important capabilities to take action to build a better world.
When we act together, we need to build an inclusive, fair and equal world where everything can thrive.
