South Africa officially takes over G20 presidency
President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to make it an inclusive occasion that will feature the voices of civil society, which he told G20 leaders was the bridge between themselves and those whom their deliberations will impact.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is pictured during the group photo after attending the meeting on Sustainable Development and Energy Transition at the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 19 November 2024. Picture: Mauro PIMENTEL/AFP
CAPE TOWN - The G20 presidency has officially been handed to South Africa in a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
It will be the first time the year-long programme of the bloc will be hosted on the African continent.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to make it an inclusive occasion that will feature the voices of civil society, which he told G20 leaders was the bridge between themselves and those whom their deliberations will impact.
Nineteen countries, the European Commission and the African Union make up the G20 bloc of economies.
In receiving the baton from Brazilian president Lula da Silva, Ramaphosa praised him for making his presidency one that strongly featured social and civil society groups.
Ramaphosa said that South Africa would continue on this path.
"It is important that ordinary people should feel that they are invested in issues that are affecting their lives and future and that they are made to be part of the process that determines that future."
Ramaphosa also applauded his counterparts for adopting the summit's final declaration, even if they were not all agreed.
"This approach is to be applauded and I hope it will work to advance and strengthen the G20's founding principles of cooperation and working together."
South Africa will host 130 meetings throughout the country during its presidency next year.
It will also aim to showcase projects in the provinces where it's making progress in achieving the United Nation's sustainable development goals.