President Cyril Ramaphosa doubled down on South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme of ‘Equality, Solidarity and Sustainability’ in an address to the B20 on the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

The theme has been strongly criticised by the US, which announced a boycott of the summit but is now said to be reconsidering its stance.

“South Africa embarked on its G20 Presidency determined to advance the principles of Equality, Solidarity and Sustainability.

“Over the course of the past year, most of the countries of the G20 have rallied in support of these principles, understanding that they are fundamental to our shared future,” Ramaphosa said in his B20 Summit address.

Although South Africa is due to hand over the G20 presidency to the US, President Donald Trump recently withdrew all American representation from the Johannesburg gathering.

It subsequently emerged that the US embassy in Pretoria has informed the South African government that it is opposed to the issuance of any G20 summit outcome document, as South Africa’s G20 priorities run counter to US policy views.

However, during a joint media briefing with European leaders, Ramaphosa indicated that discussions were now under way to facilitate the participation by the US in "one shape, form or other", describing the development as late but as "very positive".  

Earlier, Ramaphosa commended the B20 for having imbued the principles of equality, solidarity and sustainability with meaning and relevance.

“The B20 could not have been clearer: the global business community is prepared, willing and able to drive inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth.

“The global business community has made itself a reliable partner, keen to work with governments, with multilateral bodies, with social partners and with communities in pursuit of the common good,” Ramaphosa said.

He also used the address to call for interventions to address Africa’s debt, reduce the high cost of capital faced by African countries, increase concessional funding from multilateral development banks, address biased risk perceptions of the continent, reinforce multilateralism, build infrastructure and skills, unlock critical minerals, expand lower-cost funding for the continent’s transition towards a low-carbon economy, and increase trade and investment inside Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world.

“If the G20 is to realise its mission of fostering a more stable and prosperous world, then Africa’s growth and development must be a priority.

“This calls for investment in infrastructure and industry. It calls for investment in people and technology. It calls for a massive increase in finance for climate action and a just transition for African economies,” Ramaphosa said.