In his address during the first G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting under a South African G20 Presidency, Cyril Ramaphosa reflected on the interconnected challenges of geopolitical tensions, rising intolerance, conflict, climate change, pandemics and energy and food insecurity, and stressed the importance of inclusive and coordinated responses to meet these challenges.

He noted the significance of holding the G20 Leaders Summit, later this year, in Africa, and said African voices needed to be heard on global issues such as sustainable development, the digital economy and green energy.

In what is seen as a controversial first meeting of foreign ministers under the G20, owing to tension between the South Africa and the US, and growing tension between the US and the European Union, Ramaphosa said the G20 Summit was an opportunity for greater collaboration between Africa and the rest of the world.

“The nations of the world look to the G20 for leadership on the most pressing issues confronting our world. Just as cooperation supported the progress of early humans, our modern-day challenges can only be resolved through collaboration, partnership and solidarity. That is why South Africa has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the centre of our G20 Presidency. We would like our G20 Presidency to be one in which all voices are heard and in which all views count,” the South African President said.

He noted a lack of consensus among G20 nations, which made up two-thirds of the global population, on the best responses to global challenges and said decisions taken must reflect the needs of everybody.

Ramaphosa said the G20 needed to lead in the global agenda for “people, planet and prosperity”.

“As we strive towards a common purpose, let us remember that cooperation is our greatest strength. Let us seek to find common ground through constructive engagement. Through the G20, let us set the coordinates of a new course for human progress, one that is founded on solidarity, equality and sustainability,” Ramaphosa stated.

CONFLICTS

He boldly called for reform in the UN, particularly the UN Security Council, which he said must be more globally representative, agile and responsive, mentioning the conflicts raging in Russia and Ukraine, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in Sudan, in the Sahel and in Gaza.

He pointed to South Africa’s own experience with conflict resolution and stressed the need for inclusive dialogue for peace.

“[The conflicts] continue to exact a heavy human toll and heighten global insecurity. South Africa welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas as a crucial first step toward ending the severe humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians in Gaza. This ceasefire must lay the basis for a just and lasting peace in line with UN resolutions, international law and internationally agreed parameters. As the G20, we must continue to advocate for diplomatic solutions,” he said.

G20 PRIORITIES

Under a South African Presidency, Ramaphosa outlined the priorities for the G20, with strong focus on climate change, debt-sustainability, just energy transition finance and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Specifically, under these priorities, Ramaphosa outlined the need for stronger disaster resilience and response, owing to the effects of climate change, noting that poorer countries faced bigger challenges during recovery.

Further, he stated that developing economies were experiencing the highest borrowing costs in nearly two decades, impacting on domestic expenditure and development.

“More than 3.3-billion people live in countries where interest payments on debt exceed education or health spending. The G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on African countries,” Ramaphosa said.

While he acknowledged the responsibility of every country to make efforts to combat climate change, he said those countries most responsible for climate change had a duty and responsibility to support those least responsible.

“G20 leaders should secure agreement on increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing economy countries. This includes strengthening multilateral development banks, enhancing and streamlining support for country platforms such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and leveraging private capital more effectively,” he said.

Lastly, Ramaphosa set out the need for green industrialisation and investment to promote value addition and beneficiation of critical minerals.

“South Africa will seek to take forward the recommendations of the 2024 report of the UN Secretary General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals,” he said.