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G20 Update - Taking South Africa’s Agenda To The World
G20 Engagement and Working Group Meetings Kick Off
By Koketso Mamabolo and Shumirai Chimombe
Representing two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of the world’s GDP, and over 75% of international trade, the G20 group of countries is a global forum which brings together decision-makers to share information, draft the policies which seek to maintain order, and formulate approaches to stimulate inclusive growth.
The South African government – led by the Presidency, cabinet’s economic cluster and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) – is the host of this year’s G20 summit to take place in November, and comprehensive programmes of meetings of working groups have already begun.
Business 20 (B20) meeting
Along with the dialogue between heads of state, finance ministers and diplomats is a forum which provides a platform for a vital cog in any economy: the business community. The Business 20 (B20) has, since 2010, brought together business leaders from both non-G20 and G20 member states for an opportunity to present their views on how we can solve global economic problems.
The private sector host of B20 South Africa is Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) which, on the domestic front, has been building a relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration that has seen the public and private sector collaborating to address the country’s priorities, such as the energy and logistics crises, which has proved fruitful.
Together with Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), BUSA hosted the launch of the B20 on 24-25 February in Cape Town under the theme of “Inclusive Growth and Prosperity through Global Cooperation”, kicking off a yearlong programme guided by task forces formed around eight socio-economic issues:
Employment and education
Trade and investment
Energy mix and just transition
Digital transformation
Integrity and compliance
Finance and infrastructure
Sustainable food systems and agriculture
Industrial transformation and innovation
“The B20 is an unprecedented opportunity to engage with the world and build our relationships while plugging into the wider G20 agenda to project South Africa’s interests to the global stage,” wrote BLSA CEO Busiswe Mavuso in her weekly newsletter leading up to the launch. “It ensures that South Africa is part of the conversation and that our contributions are recognised.”
Co-chaired by Standard Bank Chairperson Nonkululeko Nyembezi and former Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo, the task forces will each engage with around 150 members, from more than twenty countries representing multiple sectors. From March to July, the task forces will develop policy papers and have engagements with G20 Working Groups, delivering and discussing the papers leading to the actual summit itself in November.
Two task forces of particular significance in the local context are the employment and education task force and the trade and investment task force. The former because of the high unemployment rate and the latter because of a widespread conception of investor apathy and recent developments around tariffs sparking fears of eminent trade wars.
The impact of technology and digital transformation (a task force on its own) has been felt heavily in both areas as the scale of technological innovation has led to fears of countries being left behind due to a lack of skills and investment in the digital infrastructure needed to drive the growth the world needs.
“When you talk about a good job, that conjures up in my mind formal employment,” said Sanlam CEO Paul Hanratty, highlighting the role of technology-related interventions in equipping people with the productive skills and resources needed. “On this continent and in the south, the informal economy is massive and we have to pay attention to that. We have to look at the interventions that need to take place.”
With the economy firmly in the spotlight, and socio-economic challenges taking on new dimensions as geopolitical tensions grow, as much attention will be on the policy recommendations of the B20 task forces as the outcomes of G20 Working Groups.
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The first G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held on 20 and 21 February at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg. The meeting was hosted by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister Ronald Lamola. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the opening remarks.
Over the two days the plenary sessions shared their perspectives on the current global geopolitical environment, and also discussed South Africa’s G20 Presidency high-level deliverables - the four G20 priorities that South Africa has identified to be needing urgent action. These include disaster resilience and response, debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
In his summary of the meeting, the Chair reported that the group had agreed to reaffirm the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It underscored the collective responsibility of the G20 for the effective stewardship of the global economy and fostering the conditions for sustainable, resilient and inclusive global growth, as a critical element of the broader multilateral system.
Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting
The first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (FMCBG) took place on 26 and 27 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the opening address. The FMCBG is hosted by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and Governor of the South African Reserve Bank Lesetja Kganyago.
Although a consensus for a communique was not reached, the Chair’s summary of the indicated that the members had expressed their support for the G20 South African Presidency’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, and had discussed international policy cooperation to further promote global prosperity and address key shared challenges. The group also reaffirmed efforts to support developing countries in responding to global crises and challenges and achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
In her remarks at the meeting, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said: “There was one resounding common theme I heard during our discussions: the need to reinvigorate global growth in an environment characterised by limited macroeconomic policy space and heightened policy uncertainties. Against this backdrop, I see important opportunities to advance the reforms needed to deliver lasting global economic prosperity.
The IMF has a role to play. Through policy advice, capacity development, and lending where relevant, we help countries maintain or restore macroeconomic stability and implement sound policies needed for durable growth. We will continue to play a leading role on debt through our debt sustainability analyses and our support for international efforts to address debt challenges, including the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable. We remain committed to helping our member countries achieve greater prosperity and stability.”
G20 Tourism Working Group
South Africa hosted a successful first G20 Tourism Working Group meeting virtually from the DIRCO on 5 March. The Director General of the South African Department of Tourism, Nkhumeleni Victor Vele chaired the meeting which was attended by senior officials and experts in the tourism sector of the G20 countries, invited guest countries and international organisations. Delegates agreed to work on four priorities for the year, namely:
• People-centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups and SMMEs
• Tourism financing and investment to enhance equality and promote sustainable development
• Air connectivity for seamless travel
• Enhanced resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development.
The meeting was the first of a series of engagements that will take place throughout the year, ahead of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in September 2025.
Calendar Of Upcoming Events Meetings
March:
3-5: 1st Anti-Corruption Working Group
2-4: 1st Agriculture Working Group
5: Task Force 2 Meeting - Food Security
5: SAI20 Draft Declaration Discussion Meeting
5: 1st Tourism Working Group
17-18: 2nd International Financial Architecture Working Group
17: 1st Task Force meeting: Inclusive Economic Growth Industrialisation, Employment and Reduce Inequality
18-20: 1st Trade and Investment Group
20-21: 2nd Infrastructure Working Group
21: 2nd Task Force meeting: Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduce Inequality
24-26: 2nd Sustainanble Finance working group
25-28: 1st Climate and Environment Sustainability Group
26-28: 2nd Health Working Group
Stay updated on G20 South Africa activities, events, videos during the year
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