South Africa prepares to assume G20 Presidency in December 2024.

South Africa prepares to assume G20 Presidency in December 2024.

South Africa’ s Minister of International Relations amd Cooperation Ronald Ramola says preparations are underway as the nation anticipate to assume the G20 Presidency in December.

Minister Ramola said this on Thursday as he addressed members and staff of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation(DIRCO) in Pretoria.

“Preparations for South Africa’s G20 Presidency South Africa will assume the G20 Presidency on 01 December 2024 following the G20 Leaders’ Summit under the Brazilian Presidency, scheduled for 18-19 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro,” he said.

He added that South Africa’s G20 Presidency will be one of the largest national projects, requiring a whole of-government and society approach.

” Preparation for the year-long calendar of meetings culminating in the Summit will require extensive coordination, collaboration, consultation, and
cooperation across all sectors within South Africa and amongst other Member countries and International Organisations,’ he said.

In addition, he said while processes are still underway to finalise South Africa’s priorities for its G20 presidency, it is clear that the G20 Presidency will provide an opportunity for South Africa to raise issues that
are critical to the countries of the Global South, particularly those from the African Continent.

Moreso, South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 will provide a unique opportunity to bring to the fore the developing countries’ needs, aspirations and ambitions. South Africa will use this opportunity
to build on the efforts and successes of the Indonesian, Indian, and Brazilian G20 Presidencies.

The minister said South Africa has consistently championed development issues and prioritised the concerns of African and developing countries in the G20.

It has also highlighted how a policy initiative intended to address a problem in a developed economy may have an adverse impact on developing countries.

We are also vocal advocates of the need to reform the global governance system, particularly the global financial architecture. While the calls for more rapid and fundamental reforms have grown louder in recent years, the debate must advance toward tangible outcomes.

The G20 Summit in 2025 will be the first on African soil. As part of its leadership of the G20, South Africa intends to hold meetings (both virtual and in-person) across the country from 01 Dec 2024 to 30 Nov 2025 and on the margins of major international conferences and meetings

All provinces in tje country, Ramola said will be able to host both ministerial and sectoral meetings.

In this regard, the minister said the G20
Presidency will provide a significant opportunity for the Provinces, Cities, Municipalities, Traditional Authorities and other related stakeholders to promote their cultural, heritage, tourism and innovation industries to the tens of thousands of delegates and support staff, from
some of the world’s most developed and developing economies who are expected to be in South Africa throughout the year 2025.

Minister Lamola will later in the month represent South Africa at the TICAD ministerial meeting in Japan.

Japan remains an important and strategic partner to South Africa, with several
Japanese companies in South Africa contributing positively to South Africa’s unemployment challenges.