SA kicks off G20 presidency with Sherpas Meeting in Joburg

G20

Cape Town – South Africa has begun its G20 Presidency with the first Sherpas Meeting in Johannesburg, marking the start of over 130 meetings leading up to the 2025 G20 Summit.

 Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola formally inaugurated the Meeting on Monday.

He highlighted the country’s agenda focused on “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, addressing global challenges such as disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income nations, and a just energy transition.

“The first Sherpa Meeting of the G20 is important traditionally, as it sets the stage for the upcoming Presidency and the critical conversations on some of the most vital issues of our time.

“In the spirit of Ubuntu, our shared humanity, we will address these challenges through our high-level deliverables and priorities, which lie at the core of the original G20 mandate of promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth and by building partnerships across all sectors of society to find collective solutions,” Lamola said.

The Sherpa Track is managed by the personal representatives of G20 leaders, who oversee negotiations, shape the summit’s agenda, and coordinate much of the preparatory work.

South Africa’s priorities include inclusive economic growth, food security, and AI for sustainable development.

The presidency will establish Task Forces and a Cost of Capital Commission to drive progress, building on Brazil’s leadership.

South Africa aims to foster democratic global engagement and civil society dialogue through the G20 Social Forum.

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