Ramaphosa to address G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa is on Monday expected to address the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro as Brazil wraps up its presidency of the global bloc.  

In the lead-up to the official start of the summit, Ramaphosa has met with several leaders on the sidelines to discuss matters of trade and mutual interest.  

On Monday, he will deliver South Africa’s statement on the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, as well as on the Global Governance Reform.

Ahead of SA's statements, Ramaphosa spent his birthday on Sunday meeting with his counterparts from Tanzania and Singapore and the European Union (EU).

SA is the only African country and one of ten countries globally, that has a strategic partnership with the EU.

READ: Ramaphosa appeals to developed world to help Africa scale up renewable energy

In discussion with its president, Ursula von der Leyen at the Global Summit on renewables, Ramaphosa said African countries would need to form strong partnerships with developed economies to reach global renewable energy goals.  

"In the end, as her excellency said, it’s energy that drives growth, that drives economies, so renewable energy then, gives us those opportunities," he said.

But Ramaphosa was at pains to point out that the transition to renewables has to be just and should advance the interests of ordinary people as it grows the economy.

This week marks the conclusion of the work carried out during Brazil’s presidency of the G20.  

Heads of state and government are expected to approve the agreements negotiated throughout the year and indicate ways of dealing with global challenges.  

Meanwhile, SA will assume the G20 presidency in December.