Introduction to South Africa’s G20 Presidency
South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency is approaching its final 100 days, with the country intensifying efforts to host a historic G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first of its kind on African soil. International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, stated that substantial groundwork has been laid over the past eight months, with 87 out of 132 official meetings conducted across both the Sherpa and Finance tracks.
Progress in G20 Negotiations and Key Tracks
The Minister briefed the media on recent developments relating to the implementation of South Africa’s foreign policy. The negotiations taking place for the Working Group Ministerial meetings will set the tone for the forthcoming discussions on the G20 Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration. With the next round of Ministerial meetings scheduled for September, attention is firmly focused on setting the tone for the forthcoming G20 Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration.
In the Finance Track, the recent Fourth G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting held in July, followed by the Third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in the same month, resulted in a communiqué that received consensus from all member states. This communiqué addresses important strategic macroeconomic issues. The outcomes from these discussions are pivotal as the country navigates the complex global economic landscape.
Upcoming Events and the Leaders’ Summit
South Africa is preparing for several important events in the coming months, including the G20 Compact with Africa in Johannesburg, a Food Security Meeting in Egypt, discussions on industrialisation and agriculture in Nigeria, and the second G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting. This latter meeting will coincide with the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) High-Level Week in New York.
The preparations are also focused on the G20 Leaders’ Declaration, which will centre around the theme of "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability." This Declaration will encapsulate the country’s priorities and deliverables, particularly emphasising the developmental agenda for the Global South and the African continent. The final negotiations for the Leaders’ Declaration are scheduled to take place during the last G20 Sherpa meeting, from 16 to 19 November.
South Africa-United States Relations Amid Trade Tensions
The Minister also touched on the recent teleconference between President Cyril Ramaphosa and United States President Donald Trump, where they confirmed their commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations. The US-SA relationship, valued at over R500 billion in annual trade, has been strained by the tariffs imposed on South African exports like steel and aluminium, part of broader US protectionist policies.
Addressing human rights allegations from the latest United States Human Rights 2024 report, the Minister reiterated that allegations of state-sponsored violations of human rights are unfounded. The Ramaphosa-Trump call on 26 August 2025 focused on trade, investment, and security cooperation, with SA seeking to renew AGOA benefits expiring in 2025.
Conclusion
As South Africa marks this historic moment, the Minister expressed a strong conviction that "only when the world is at peace can economic prosperity be sustained." The final months of South Africa’s G20 Presidency will be critical in ensuring a successful Leaders’ Summit where the G20 can commit to collective solutions for shared global challenges. With the country’s commitment to global cooperation and its role in bridging global divides, the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit is expected to be a significant milestone in South Africa’s history.
