South African G20 Sherpa Zane Dangor on Wednesday attributed many of the global conflicts currently being witnessed to growing inequalities within and between countries.

Dangor was speaking during the South African Institute of International Affairs’ (SAIIA’s) T20 South Africa Inception Conference, where he pointed out that the ongoing conflicts across the world were detrimental to economic development and the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency in December, and will hold it until November 30, making it the first African country to preside over the G20.

He noted a global growth in inequality within countries and a link between the abilities of countries to deal with inequality and the kind of global frameworks that give rise to and sustain inequalities between countries.

Dangor pointed to the first meeting of foreign ministers of the G20, saying all delegates who participated in the meeting reaffirmed the theme of South Africa’s Presidency.

South Africa’s G20 is operating under the broader Presidency G20 theme of "solidarity, equality and sustainability".

He highlighted the importance of supporting developing countries during the global crisis, but also ensuring that there were improvements at national and international levels, in policy and resourcing requirements to achieve the SDGs.

“So, there I think the Foreign Minister noted with concern [it has been] slow, particularly with only five years to go before we have to report on the [SDG] Agenda 2030 targets,” he explained.

He noted the differences between the meetings of foreign ministers and the finance deputies, in which he said the themes of the finance deputies meeting was not overwhelmingly supported.

He said the difference between the two meetings indicated that there were discussions within the government components of the G20 around the themes and the contestation of values underpinning these themes, particularly the need for solidarity between countries, and the notion of equality.

He added that some of the issues were linked to gender equality and the specific human rights of women.

He said there was also a reaffirmation that the G20 was an important institution in the global governance architecture, particularly for international economic cooperation.

He explained that this was important in the context of the global trading system maybe being under threat.

“…from our perspective, given our theme, it is not the global trading system, it is about fair trade. But also underscored is the need for collective responsibility for stewardship for the global economy and what will be necessary to foster what would be the requirements for sustainable and resilient interdependence and inclusive supply chains and global growth,” he said.

MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

South Africa holds its G20 Presidency in a changing and fast-evolving geopolitical landscape, which faces several challenges, with SAIIA CE Elizabeth Sidiropoulos saying it was well known that a multilateral cooperation and a rules-based order were important to deal with many challenges.

Sidiropoulos highlighted that the global governance system had many weaknesses, and stated that it was in dire need of reform.

“…but we also know that upending the system or subverting the existing system without a plan to really reform it and deal with some of the significant structural challenges, does not necessarily help to address many of the country’s challenges.

“I think most of us recognise the importance of the need to work together to deal with the polycrisis, and I think we are at a crossroads in terms of how we want to see the international system move forward,” she explained.