South Africa has officially been handed the G20 presidency in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Pretoria has made history, as the first African country to preside over the year-long programme of the G20, which would be held next year.
“It is an honour to accept, on behalf of the people of South Africa, the responsibility of the Presidency of the G20 for the next year,” said Ramaphosa during the ceremonial handover conducted with his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
He commended the host for elevating the participation of social and civil society groups in the work of the G20 by convening the first ever G20 Social Summit.
Ramaphosa has pledged to continue where Brazil left off.
“South Africa firmly believes that civil society serves as a bridge between the G20 leaders and the people who have the greatest interest in their deliberations.
We will continue with this innovative platform for engagement during our Presidency.
This is in line with our own traditions as South Africa to involve civil society formations in all matters of importance to the people of the country,” explained Ramaphosa.
Moreover, the president highlighted that civil society formations played an important part to end apartheid and help South Africa achieve democracy.
The president applauded Brazil’s Presidency, as it helped to address some of the most pressing global challenges, and heightened focus on the development agenda for developing countries.
“We applaud all G20 members, led by Brazil, in finalising the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration, which outlines the actions we must take together to build a better world.
We appreciate that once sufficient consensus was reached on the Declaration, those members who still had points of disagreement did not stand in the way of the adoption of the Declaration.
As South Africa, we undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards achieving greater global economic growth and sustainable development,” said the president.
He assured the delegates that Pretoria will ensure that no one is left behind.
Ramaphosa also announced that South Africa has adopted the G20 Presidency theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.
“In line with this theme, we will seek to strengthen and advance our common pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the Future,” highlighted Ramaphosa.
The president stressed that Pretoria would use it G20 Presidency, to strengthen solidarity, end hardship and suffering, and tackle inequality amongst others.
“These disparities show themselves in the lack of predictable and sustainable financing and capacity building for climate action.
Inequality is manifested in the crippling debt that has forced many countries to forgo their developmental programmes to service exorbitant debt,” said Ramaphosa.
According to Ramaphosa, South Africa will host 130 meetings across the country during its presidency.
