Ramaphosa sets out G20 priorities

• When SA assumes presidency of the bloc in 2025 it will advocate for Africa and Global South

SA will use its presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) in 2025 to advocate for the development of Africa and the Global South including the reform of multilateral institutions and by fostering deeper global economic collaboration, President Cyril Ramaphosa says. Outlining SA’s priorities for the G20 during a meeting of the G20 in New York, Ramaphosa said SA would put issues such as climate change, economic inequality and sustainable development on the agenda.

SA will use its presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) in 2025 to advocate for the development of Africa and the Global South including the reform of multilateral institutions and by fostering deeper global economic collaboration, President Cyril Ramaphosa says.

Outlining SA’s priorities for the G20 during a meeting of the G20 in New York, Ramaphosa said SA would put issues such as climate change, economic inequality and sustainable development on the agenda.

“SA has adopted as the theme for its G20 presidency: solidarity, equality and sustainable development. We aim to mobilise the countries of the world towards taking practical steps that will resolve global challenges, while strengthening international co-operation within a rules-based system,” Ramaphosa said.

“SA’s G20 presidency provides us with an opportunity to advocate for and mobilise support for the developing economies of Africa and the Global South,” he said.

The meeting was held on the margins of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

International relations & co-operation minister Ronald Lamola said SA’s priorities during its G20 presidency would include reform of the global financial architecture and global trading system, combating climate change, issues of predatory mining by some countries and corporations, especially in the quest for Africa’s raw materials and critical minerals.

“Many countries in the Global South are forced to forgo their developmental programmes to service exorbitant debts. Poverty, inequality and underdevelopment are common triggers for conflict and instability.

“The world should finance more development than wars,” Lamola said.

SA will take over the G20 chair from Brazil. Business Day previously reported that the government would spend an estimated R700m on hosting the G20 summit, scheduled to take place in November next year.

REFORM

During the UN General Assembly debate on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said SA would also push for the reform of the UN Security Council including the inclusion of African nations within the organisation — something that has been endorsed by the US.

The Ezulwini Consensus, adopted by the AU in 2005, aimed to increase Africa’s representation on the UN Security Council. The consensus called for at least two permanent and five nonpermanent seats, with the AU selecting the countries to fill those seats.

However, to date, the UN General Assembly still elects five new members from different geographical zones for two-year terms on the council, with Africa holding three rotational seats on the 15-member council.

Despite these efforts, the Security Council’s composition remains unchanged, with Africa still underrepresented. Many argue that this lack of representation undermines the council’s legitimacy and effectiveness.

“Seventy-eight years since its formation, the structure of the UN Security Council remains largely unchanged. Africa and its 1.4-billion people remain excluded from its key decisionmaking structures. The Security Council has not fulfilled its mandate to maintain international peace and security,” Ramaphosa said.

“The UN Security Council must be reformed as a matter of urgency. It must become more inclusive so the voices of all nations are heard and considered. Africa stands ready to play its part in building a safer global order,” he said.

Ahead of SA filing its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October, where the government will present a case of genocide against Israel, Ramaphosa called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“We did so in terms of our obligations as a state party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. As SA we welcome the support that a number of countries have given to the case that we launched at the ICJ,” Ramaphosa said.

“The ICJ’s orders make it clear that there is a plausible case of genocide against the people of Gaza. They further make it clear that states must also act to prevent genocide by Israel, and ensure that they are not themselves in violation of the Genocide Convention by aiding or assisting in the commission of genocide.”

Ramaphosa called on wealthy nations to timeously meet climate-related financial commitments they made for developing countries to take action regarding global warming. He noted that despite being the least responsible for the climate crisis, African nations were the worst affected, having experienced extreme weather such as flooding, fires and droughts.

“It is essential that climate actions do not deepen global inequality or stifle the developmental aspirations of the Global South,” he said.

“The industrialised nations are not honouring their climate commitments and we repeat the call for predictable and sustainable financing for climate action. We must operationalise the agreed-upon climate financing and capacity building instruments to advance mitigation and adaptation.”

On the spread of the mpox disease, Ramaphosa called on the international community to “mobilise vaccine stockpiles and other medical countermeasures for deployment where they are most needed”.