MASERU — President Cyril Ramaphosa has said, South Africa hosting the G20 was not merely ceremonial but it was a statement about the continent’s future.
This he said on Sunday in his closing remarks of the two-day world’s most influential economic forum G20 amid the boycott by the United States (U.S) which is the next G20 presidency in 2026. The final session wrapped up with a sense of achievement, relief and global solidarity.
Mr. Ramaphosa urged the leaders to move forward together, demonstrating to the world that they have the capacity to confront and overcome the world’s challenges.
He said they can create a more secure, a more just and a more prosperous world through partnerships across society and by remembering their common humanity. “Together we can ensure that no one is left behind”.
He acknowledged the challenges they faced during the year of South Africa’s Presidency, emphasising global solidarity and cooperation.
He said, “we have met this year in the face of significant challenges and demonstrated their ability to come together even in times of great difficulty to pursue a better world”.
Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa raised the gavel as it is norm when the summit ends and said “I now say that this gavel of this G20 Summit formally closes this summit and now moves on to the next president of the G20 which is the U.S. Therefore the summit closed.
It is during the same summit that on Saturday South Africa secured a declaration which is a commitment to concrete actions that will improve the lives of people in every part of the world.
The agreement on a declaration during this summit demonstrates the value of the G20 as a forum that can facilitate joint action on issues of shared concern.
It reaffirmed their renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and recognition that their shared goals outweigh their differences.
Throughout the Presidency, South Africa championed: Reform of development finance institutions, Relief for debt-stressed emerging economies, A Critical Minerals Framework to unlock value for developing nations, Accelerated investment in disaster and climate resilience, Poverty reduction and job creation.
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Source: South African Government News Agency
