By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Brazil on 16 November 2024 to lead South Africa’s delegation at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The summit, themed “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” is scheduled for 18 and 19 November 2024.
The G20 consists of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, it includes two organisations: the African Union and the European Union.
“Brazil’s G20 Presidency continues the global south rotating Presidency and during its tenure prioritises social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty, energy transitions and the promotion of sustainable development in its economic, social, environmental dimensions and the reform of global governance Institutions,” the Presidency said in a statement.
On Sunday, 17 November 2024, Ramaphosa will participate in the launch of the Leveraging the Potential of Renewables – The Road to Johannesburg Campaign.
On Monday, 18 November 2024, at the beginning of the Leaders’ Summit, the President will present South Africa’s statements during plenary sessions. These statements will focus on the fight against hunger and poverty and the reform of global governance institutions.
South Africa will officially receive the G20 Presidency during the Leaders’ Summit and will continue to build on the initiatives of its Global South predecessors starting from 1 December 2024, under the rallying call of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”.
The G20 is the leading forum for global economic cooperation and governance, representing 85% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the global population.
Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Brazilian President Lula da Silva on Saturday on the margins of a G20 summit in Rio to discuss global collaboration on climate action and multilateral reforms.
Guterres praised Brazil’s contributions to global priorities, while Lula proposed a Social G20 to include civil society and social movements at future summits.