South Africa Takes Over G20 Presidency From Brazil

On Tuesday, during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Luiz Lula da Silva officially handed over the presidency of the G20 to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This marks the first time that an African nation has assumed leadership of the influential group of the world’s largest economies.

President Ramaphosa, in his address, emphasized that South Africa’s presidency will focus on advancing the development priorities of Africa and the Global South. He vowed to ensure that issues impacting these regions are prominently featured on the G20 agenda.

“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” Ramaphosa said.

He outlined three key areas for South Africa’s leadership: fostering inclusive economic growth, addressing global food security, and harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence and innovation for sustainable development. Ramaphosa expressed his commitment to advancing global economic progress while ensuring that no one is left behind.

South Africa, currently the only African member of the G20, will lead a bloc of 19 countries and the European Union, which includes major economies like the United States, China, Germany, and India. Spain holds a permanent guest status.

As the first African nation to head the G20, South Africa intends to spotlight issues such as industrialization, employment, and reducing inequality, while also facilitating discussions on critical global matters. “We undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards greater global economic growth and sustainable development,” Ramaphosa concluded.

During the summit, G20 leaders issued a joint declaration calling for a global pact to combat hunger, increased aid for Gaza, and an end to the war in Ukraine. However, the statement was noted for its generalities and lack of concrete details. Additionally, the declaration included calls for a future global tax on billionaires and proposed reforms to allow the expansion of the U.N. Security Council beyond its five permanent members.