Cape Town – Deputy President Paul Mashatile has expressed hope that South Africa’s upcoming G20 Presidency will promote a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable global order.
Speaking at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University in London, he said that South Africa aims to amplify the developing world’s voice on pressing global issues such as inequality, poverty, climate change, and sustainable development.
South Africa is gearing up for its G20 Presidency, with preparations in full swing to host the 2025 summit. The country is set to assume the G20 chairmanship from Brazil on 1 December this year.
Deputy President of South Africa – Paul Mashatile – a @SOAS alumni reminding us that our alumnus are changing the world out there… pic.twitter.com/0PXSibWKKg
— Ida Hadjivayanis (@IdaHadjivayanis) October 2, 2024
“The worrisome lack of progress in enhancing sustainable development globally underscores the need for global solidarity in addressing issues such as growing inequality; rising hunger; rising extreme poverty; the current global economy; climate and energy crises; the debt crisis facing developing countries, and illicit financial flows, all of which impede developing countries’ access to sustainable development,” Mashatile said.
He added: “We will concentrate on utilising natural resources, tackling beneficiation challenges, mobilising domestic resources, developing a critical mineral strategy, managing interdependent and diverse supply chains, and leveraging natural capital.”
Mashatile also highlighted the importance of critical minerals for the green economy and Just Energy Transition, and he called for reforms to global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
He also stressed the urgency of climate action and global peace, particularly in the Middle East.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
