Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has underscored South Africa’s leadership in the Group of 20 (G20), calling for greater solidarity, equality and sustainability to drive inclusive global growth. Speaking at the International Peace Institute’s annual event, held alongside the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Lamola outlined South Africa’s priorities as the current G20 Chair.
Lamola said the longstanding partnership between South Africa and the International Peace Institute has led to the co-hosting of this year’s annual forum on Africa and the global order, focusing specifically on the G20. The Minister said South Africa’s G20 Presidency is guided by the philosophy of ubuntu and the UN’s principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’. The core theme of SA’s G20 Presidency is ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.
“Our four overarching priorities address challenges that undermine our continent’s ability to grow, diminish our capacity to develop, and stifle our aspirations for a prosperous future,” Lamola told delegates. These priorities include strengthening disaster resilience; ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries; mobilising finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth.
Lamola urged G20 nations to act collectively, warning that exploitation, inequality and poverty must not be normalised. “We have a shared responsibility to provide stewardship, to raise ambition, and to secure tangible outcomes for future generations.”
Lamola also highlighted recent multilateral efforts such as the Seville Commitment on financing for development, and pointed to upcoming global meetings, COP30 on climate change and the World Summit for Social Development, as key platforms for advancing cooperation. The Minister is further expected to participate in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the UN today to continue shaping consensus on global economic challenges.
