By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola addressed the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, where he outlined South Africa’s priorities as G20 President.
Delphi Economic Forum brings together policymakers, economists, and thought leaders to tackle pressing global challenges, Lamola underscored South Africa’s role as a champion of inclusive growth, sustainable development, and African-led solutions.
Lamola’s address focused on South Africa’s central foreign policy pillars: peace building, continental integration, and the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These priorities, he stressed, are not just regional aspirations, but global imperatives.
As the current President of the Group of Twenty (G20), South Africa has placed Africa’s development and inclusion at the heart of the global agenda. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” the G20 Presidency aims to bridge the gap between developed and developing economies, giving the continent a stronger voice in shaping decisions that affect its future.
“Our Presidency prioritises bridging the gap between developed and developing economies, ensuring that Africa’s vast potential in green industrialisation, youth innovation, and sustainable trade is unlocked through equitable partnerships, “Lamola said.
Many African nations are still burdened by unsustainable debt levels, which limit their ability to invest in healthcare, infrastructure, and social protection systems.
“The global financial architecture must be redesigned to allow for a fair and inclusive economic recovery,” Lamola emphasised. He called on G20 member states and international financial institutions to support debt relief efforts for highly indebted developing countries, many of which are in Africa.
South Africa’s G20 leadership comes at a time when developing countries are grappling with the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and the impacts of climate change. These global disruptions have exposed structural inequalities that persist in international governance, trade, and finance systems.