News Briefs 02 July 2025

South Africa’s G20 Presidency

COMMENT: Time for South Africa to lead: Nelson Muffuh

As the world prepares for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the imminent Compromiso de Sevilla marks a critical inflexion point in our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda.

For South Africa, this moment is not only timely — it is transformative.

South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the first on the African continent, coincides with a period of profound transition.

The country is navigating the early stages of a Government of National Unity, implementing the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP 2024-2029), and finalising a new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework).

These converging milestones offer a unique opportunity to reimagine development finance in ways that are inclusive, catalytic, and future-fit.

SABC News 30 June 2025

With the G20 summit looming, South Africa wants Trump at the table.

In November, South Africa will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first to take place on African soil. It will also be the fourth consecutive host in the Global South, following meetings in Indonesia, India and Brazil. Issues that continue to burden many developing countries will be the focus, with South Africa having championed priorities such as debt relief, climate finance, and development.

But a cloud hangs over this G20. US President Donald Trump initially declared he would boycott the summit over claims of “white genocide” in South Africa, also directing US officials not to participate in the wider G20 agenda. Now he has indicated he may attend, following a meeting last month with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Trump’s apparent change of course could signal an easing of tensions, which is especially significant as South Africa prepares to hand over the G20 presidency to the United States as host for next year.

This comes amid a review of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a US trade agreement that provides duty-free access for eligible African countries to US markets. South Africa is one of its largest beneficiaries.

The Interpreter 11 June 2025

South Africa hosts the G20 in 2025: Why this global summit matters to you

South Africa is taking centre stage in global affairs in 2025 as we host the G20 Summit in November.

But what exactly is the G20 – and why should it matter to you?

The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum for governments and policymakers from 19 countries and two economic regions: the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).

It was established in 1999 to bring together the world’s major economies to discuss and coordinate policies on global economic challenges that affect everyday people, such as unemployment, education, health, food security and how we respond to climate change and digital disruption.

The G20 has been responsible for some pivotal moments in history. Back in 2009, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the G20 approved a $1 trillion rescue package that helped stabilise the world’s economy. This year, with South Africa as G20 President, we have a unique opportunity to bring African priorities to this powerful decision-making table.

Cape Town Etc 26 June 2025

Climate change takes centre stage at G20 Sherpa meeting

South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency is placing climate resilience and the Just Energy Transition (JET) at the heart of its global agenda, highlighting the escalating environmental challenges facing developing nations.

In an interview with the media, South Africa’s G20 Sous Sherpa, Xolisa Mabhongo, emphasised the critical importance of disaster resilience, using recent national experiences as a stark illustration of global climate vulnerabilities.

“If you look at the flooding that happened in the Eastern Cape a few weeks ago, it exactly shows the relevance of the G20 discussions to our national situation. You can extrapolate it into a country, in the African continent, or the developing south, you do realise that there is no ready capacity or enough resources to deal with disaster resilience,“ he said.

“I mean, if you look at KwaZulu-Natal, for example, it’s almost like we are expecting a natural disaster, climate-related, weather-related disaster to come.”

According to recent reports, the death toll in the Mthatha, Eastern Cape floods, now stands at 101, as rescue operations are continuing.

While specific commitments were not detailed, he said the talks signalled a growing recognition that climate action requires a fundamental reimagining of global economic and environmental policies.

SA Government News 26 June 2025