South Africa has assumed the presidency of the G20, marking the first time an African country will lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies.
The handover ceremony occurred on Tuesday during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially transferred leadership to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In his acceptance speech, Ramaphosa pledged to prioritize the development of Africa and advocate for the interests of the Global South throughout his tenure.
“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” Ramaphosa said.
He outlined three main areas of focus for South Africa’s presidency: fostering inclusive economic growth, addressing food security challenges, and harnessing artificial intelligence and innovation to drive sustainable development. Ramaphosa also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring global economic growth that leaves no one behind.
South Africa is currently the only African member of the G20, a bloc comprising 19 countries and the European Union. However, in 2023, the African Union joined the forum as a member, signaling increased global acknowledgment of Africa’s role in shaping international policy.
The G20 includes major economies such as the United States, China, Germany, and India, with Spain holding permanent guest status.
As the first African nation to lead the G20, South Africa aims to advocate for industrialization, job creation, and inequality reduction, while also steering discussions on pressing global issues.
“As South Africa, we undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards achieving greater global economic growth and sustainable development. We will work to ensure that no one is left behind,” Ramaphosa concluded.
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