WATCH | ‘See you in the US’ – Ramaphosa closes G20 Summit with call to ensure no one is left behind
President Cyril Ramaphosa lifts the G20 gavel during the official closing of the G20 Leaders’ Summit at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.
Image: Screengrab/ SABC
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially closed the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday with an appeal to world leaders to confront global challenges “together” and to ensure that “no one is left behind” as the world works towards shared prosperity.
Delivering his final remarks at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Ramaphosa said the first G20 summit hosted on African soil had placed urgent global priorities at the centre of discussions.
“Together, we must accelerate progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the Future,” he said.
“We have laid the foundation of solidarity; now we must build the walls of justice and the roof of prosperity. Let us move forward together… Through partnerships across society, and by remembering our common humanity, we can create a more secure, a more just and a more prosperous world. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.”
Ramaphosa thanked G20 members, invited nations and international organisations “for the steadfast support you have shown throughout South Africa’s G20 Presidency,” saying their commitment had been vital in reaffirming the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
He reminded leaders that the Johannesburg summit had taken place “in the face of significant challenges” but demonstrated that nations could still “come together even in times of great difficulty to pursue a better world”.
Africa’s place at the centre
Ramaphosa emphasised the historic nature of the gathering, saying: “South Africa’s presidency marks the first time that the G20 has been hosted on African soil. Recognising the importance of this milestone, we have sought to place Africa’s growth and development at the heart of the G20’s agenda.”
He told world leaders that “the greatest opportunity for prosperity in the 21st century lies in Africa,” adding that harnessing that opportunity will require a strong partnership between Africa and the G20, and indeed between Africa and the rest of the world.
Conflict, poverty and inequality
Calling for global unity, Ramaphosa said: “We have called for an end to conflicts and wars around the globe and for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.”
He said the summit came “at a crucial moment, as calls around the world grow louder for progress on the imperatives of our time: to end poverty in all its forms, to reduce inequality within and among countries, and to take urgent action to combat climate change”.
Debt relief and climate finance
Ramaphosa highlighted the “growing debt burden faced by many developing economies” and said the G20 had pledged to support low- and middle-income countries facing debt vulnerabilities.
“Together, we must create a virtuous cycle of reduced debt, higher public investment and more rapid and inclusive economic growth,” he said.
He also stressed the need to strengthen disaster resilience, saying: “Climate-induced natural disasters spare no country, but their toll is heaviest on those without the means to recover and rebuild.” South Africa, he noted, had introduced the “High-Level Voluntary Principles for Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction”.
On climate finance, he said: “We have made progress in mobilising finance for a just energy transition… We reaffirmed our dedication to energy security, affordability and universal access, and the importance of supporting developing economies in their transition to low carbon emissions.”
He further reaffirmed “the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions” and “the need to substantially scale up investment and climate finance from all sources”.
Declaration and G20 reform
Ramaphosa said the G20 Leaders’ Declaration adopted in Johannesburg was “more than words – it is a commitment to concrete actions”.
“Our 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,” he said. “More than that, it reaffirms our renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and our recognition that our shared goals outweigh our differences.”
He added that South Africa had completed the G20@20 Review, saying its recommendations would help ensure the G20 “remains fit for purpose in an ever-changing world”.
Ramaphosa ended his remarks by urging leaders to uphold the spirit of unity shown in Johannesburg.
“Let us move forward together, demonstrating to the world that we have the capacity to confront and overcome the world’s challenges,” he said. “Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.”
SA hands over to the US
In closing, Ramaphosa said South Africa will be handing over the G20 presidency to the United States.
“This gavel of this G20 Summit formally closes this summit and now moves on to the next president of the G20, which is the United States, where we shall see each other again next year. The summit is therefore closed,” Ramaphosa said, as delegates clapped and cheered.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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