Johannesburg, South Africa – The G20 Leaders Summit opened in Johannesburg today with a moment of unexpected drama after President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that member states had reached consensus on a summit declaration. The content of the declaration remains confidential until it is formally published.
The announcement came while the plenary session was still being broadcast live. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola attempted to caution the President before the microphones were muted, but Ramaphosa continued, prompting applause from delegates. He later added, “We would like to put a proposed declaration forward for your consideration.”
The gathering marks the first time the G20 has met on African soil, a development that has drawn significant attention across the continent, including here in Eswatini where policymakers are closely following outcomes affecting the Global South.
South Africa took charge of the G20 in 2024 after President Ramaphosa received the presidency gavel from Brazil. He had pledged that the country would steer the bloc with solidarity at its core.
“We will work to ensure that no one is left behind. The world is faced with severe challenges and crises. Through partnerships across society, and by reigniting our common humanity, South Africa will seek to harness global collective energy to confront these challenges.
“Through our G20 Presidency, we will seek to strengthen solidarity. Whether it is in Gaza, Sudan or Ukraine, we must all stand in solidarity with those people who are facing hardship and suffering. We must stand in solidarity with those countries that are most vulnerable to pandemics and other global public health emergencies,” he said.
Ramaphosa noted that this was the first time an African state had taken the lead role in the grouping. He said South Africa intended to place the priorities of the continent and the wider Global South firmly before the world’s major economies.
South Africa adopted the theme Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability for its presidency year. Ramaphosa said the focus aimed to address vast inequalities between nations while creating a fairer future for those at risk of being left behind. He added that the work of the G20 must advance efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
He also described this year’s leadership as a people centred presidency, supported by more than 100 meetings held by engagement groups representing business, labour, civil society, academics, youth and other sectors. Their inputs were consolidated into a Social Summit declaration presented to him earlier this week.
World leaders began arriving yesterday, welcomed by Ramaphosa and senior South African officials. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the summit “particularly special” as it is the first hosted on the continent, noting that the African Union’s admission into the G20 last year underscored Africa’s expanding role in global affairs.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the chorus of support during the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Summit on Friday evening, describing the Johannesburg gathering as a major opportunity for Africa.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres told journalists that South Africa had brought crucial issues forward, including climate change, debt reform and financing concerns affecting developing nations. He said these matters had long required international attention.
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