South Africa Ready to Host G20 Leaders' Summit

Addis Ababa, May 12, 2025 (ENA) --- South Africa is on track to welcome and host Group of 20 (G20) leaders at the Johannesburg Summit this November, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola revealed.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, on Monday, Lamola said progress has been made since December 2024, with 51 meetings convened over urgent matters the world is grappling with.

He noted that while there are divergent views on certain issues, South Africa's G20 presidency is receiving "overwhelming support."

"The ongoing G20 discussions are aimed at advancing South Africa's overarching priorities, namely: strengthening disaster resilience and response, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development," Lamola said.

Lamola said South Africa's G20 presidency reaffirmed its strong belief that "multilateral cooperation" was paramount, not optional. "Unilateral actions that undermine the rules-based order risk reversing decades of progress."

The minister also welcomed discussions between China and the United States, which took place over the weekend regarding the trade war, noting that the talks were in the interest of the world, according to Xinhua. 

"We've always maintained that there shouldn't be unilateralism when it comes to trade. Where there are challenges, countries must engage. These are the two biggest economies. It's important that they engage and find solutions," he added.

The G20 is an intergovernmental forum made up of 19 countries, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU), representing the leading economies of the world.

It serves as a venue for addressing global economic challenges, enhancing international financial stability, and encouraging sustainable development.

Established in 1999, the G20 was created to facilitate discussions among Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors regarding international economic and financial matters.