In a poignant closing address at the G20 Leaders’ Summit – the first ever hosted on African soil – President Cyril Ramaphosa urged fellow world leaders to rally international support for nations grappling with profound reconstruction challenges, emphasising that no country is immune to the ravages of climate-induced disasters.
Delivering his remarks at the Nasrec Expo Centre on Sunday, Ramaphosa highlighted the summit’s unified commitment to bolstering low- and middle-income countries as they navigate escalating debt vulnerabilities. “The G20 has pledged to extend a hand to all countries with significant challenges to rebuilding,” he stated, underscoring the disproportionate burden these crises impose on resource-scarce economies.
Reflecting on South Africa’s priorities since assuming the G20 presidency, Ramaphosa reaffirmed the group’s focus on mobilizing resources for disaster resilience and response. “When South Africa took up the G20 presidency, we pledged to strengthen these efforts, knowing that climate-induced natural disasters spare no country,” he said. He pointed out that while every nation feels the impact, “their toll weighs heavily on those who don’t have the means to rebuild,” calling for collective action to bridge this gap.
The summit concluded successfully despite geopolitical tensions, including a U.S. boycott led by the Trump administration over disputed claims of discrimination in South Africa. Leaders adopted a landmark declaration addressing the climate crisis, debt burdens in developing economies, and other global priorities, with Ramaphosa wielding a ceremonial gavel to symbolize the handover to the United States for 2026. “See you in the US,” he quipped, while appealing for unity: “Let us confront these challenges together and ensure no one is left behind in our pursuit of shared prosperity.”
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola echoed the sentiment post-closing, declaring the event a triumph that places Africa’s agenda firmly on the global stage and instills national pride. As the first African-hosted G20, the Johannesburg gathering marked a pivotal moment for emerging economies, with Ramaphosa’s vision of solidarity poised to shape future international cooperation.