By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Cape Town Conversation is an annual South Africa-based platform for the Global South that brings together key stakeholders and new voices.
The two-day event is organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation.
Former President Thabo Mbeki has called on delegates at the Cape Town Conversation to come up with meaningful results to promote the agenda of the Global South.
He has called on this conference to build on what has already been achieved by other countries like Indonesia, India and Brazil, who have hosted the G20.
“As SA takes over the presidency of G20 following on other countries of the south…there must be a message from us here which says in continuation of what others did, these are what the Global South wants to achieve, and this is how it should be done. There are many other issues around the world that take other people’s attention away from Global South. But we can’t do anything about that. I am really hoping we will all attend the various important topics in terms of what we want and how to achieve it, so that that becomes the global agenda of the Global South.”
Mbeki called on delegates at the conference to come up with concrete plans to take forward.
“I really hope that by time we conclude here discussing matters of Global South and what it needs, we will also be able to say, we come out of here with a message that truly, truly points the way as to how to address the aspirations of Global South within context of international system which is not necessarily that friendly to address the aspirations of the Global South.”
The President of the think tank, Observer Research Foundation Samir Saran expressed his confidence that South Africa hosting the G20 is bound to be exceptional.
Saran proposed that G20 with its focus on financial stability, climate action, & sustainable development is ideal for advancing SDG’s by creating development bank.
Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said countries in the Global South advocate for greater representation in international institutions such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank. Forums such as the Conference of the Parties (COP) have witnessed the Global South shaping discussions on adaptation, mitigation, and the Loss and Damage Fund.
“It is in this context of it being part of the global South that has shaped South Africa’s vision for an inclusive global governance system reflects South Africa commitment to creating a world that prioritizes fairness, sustainability, and cooperation. By championing reforms in international institutions, fostering African unity, and engaging in South-South cooperation, South Africa seeks to ensure that the voices of marginalized and developing nations are not only heard but have a meaningful impact on the global stage. This is drawn from our foreign policy principles that are rooted in human rights, solidarity, and African unity and it is succinctly summarised in our objective of “A better Africa, and a better world”, said Ntshavheni.
So, we advocate for an inclusive global governance system that prioritizes equitable development, multilateral cooperation, and justice, added Ntshavheni.
South Africa has chosen the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” for its G20 Presidency.
Ntshavheni said, South Africa has painstakingly ensured that G20 presidency also mirrors and contributes to the realisation of our own national priorities and initiatives:
Priority 1: Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Inequality
Priority 2: Food Security
Priority 3: Artificial Intelligence and Innovation for Sustainable Development
South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 must advance reforms of the institutions of global governance to become systems and institutions that will be relevant and effective for the next 50 to 100 years, concluded Ntshavheni.