South Africa Becomes First African Nation to Lead G20 Presidency, Prioritizes Global South’s Development
South Africa has officially assumed the presidency of the G20, marking a historic milestone as the first African nation to lead the influential bloc of the world’s largest economies. The handover took place on Tuesday during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva formally passing the leadership to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In his remarks, President Ramaphosa committed to prioritizing Africa’s development and advancing the interests of the Global South throughout South Africa’s presidency. “We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the G20 agenda,” he stated.
Ramaphosa outlined three primary areas of focus for South Africa’s tenure: promoting inclusive economic growth, addressing global food security challenges, and harnessing artificial intelligence and innovation to drive sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of fostering global economic growth while ensuring that no one is left behind.
South Africa is currently the only African member of the G20, a group that includes 19 countries and the European Union, with Spain granted permanent guest status. However, the African Union joined the forum as a member in 2023, highlighting the growing international recognition of Africa’s role in global policy discussions.
As the first African nation to take on the G20 presidency, South Africa aims to champion critical issues such as industrialization, job creation, and reducing inequality, while driving global discussions on sustainable economic development. In conclusion, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to advancing the G20’s agenda and working towards a more inclusive and prosperous global economy.
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