Ramaphosa says SA to prioritise Africa's needs when it takes over G20 presidency

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that when South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20 this year, the country would prioritise the needs and aspirations of Africa and the global south.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa reflected on his visit to the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last week.

At the assembly last week and on the sidelines at the New York Stock Exchange, Ramaphosa sold South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU) and its promises of economic growth.

Ramaphosa said the UNGA culminated in a pact for the future that re-affirms that extreme poverty is the greatest global challenge.

READ: 'We did it in 14 days' - President Ramaphosa promotes GNU at NY Stock Exchange

The president said that had he reiterated the country’s position that sustainable development could only be achieved when it was being driven by inclusive, responsive and agile multilateral institutions.

Ramaphosa said this means that bodies like the United Nations and financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund needed to be fundamentally reformed.

He said that as a signatory of the pact for the future, SA wanted people-driven sustainable development to become a reality.

As the country prepares to take over the G20 presidency in December, Ramaphosa said we must pursue the attainment of just and sustainable peace, based on international law.