Ramaphosa confident looming Trump presidency won’t ‘dilute’ SA’s G20 goals

South Africa - Cape Town - 03 November 2024 - President Cyril Ramaphosa accompanied by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and Minister or International Relations Justice Lamola before addressing the media at the G20 presidency launch in Parliament,Cape Town . (Photo: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of SA)

By Victoria O’Regan

3 Dec 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is ‘looking forward’ to hosting US President Donald Trump at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he does not believe US president-elect Donald Trump will be able to derail Pretoria’s G20 agenda when the US assumes the G20 presidency next year.

The President launched South Africa’s G20 presidency, which began on 1 December, in Parliament on Tuesday. This will be the first time an African nation has presided over the G20.

On Tuesday, Ramaphosa told reporters that South Africa will continue to build on the developmental agendas of the Indian, Indonesian and Brazilian G20 presidencies, with a keen focus on issues such as inclusive growth and strengthening climate change-induced disaster resilience. He added that Pretoria will use its G20 presidency to “bring the development priorities” of Africa and the Global South firmly to the fore.

The US will take over the G20 presidency in December 2025, under the leadership of Trump.

Read more: A year of global economic negotiations and challenges ahead as SA prepares for G20

Ramaphosa said he is “looking forward” to hosting Trump at the critical G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025.

“We do expect him to attend, as the United States is the next president of the G20. I look forward to handing over the baton to President Trump as he takes over the reins of the G20.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana at the launch of the G20 presidency. (Photo: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of SA)

In response to a question from Daily Maverick, Ramaphosa said he does not believe Trump will “dilute” Pretoria’s agenda when the US assumes the G20 presidency.

Ramaphosa said the declaration, or joint communiqué, produced after each G20 Summit that “encompasses the outcomes of discussions in the various working groups, builds on previous declarations”, and presents a body of information that the G20 “hardly ever” deviates from.

“There’s always been a forward movement, and there’s always been progress that has been made as the G20 has had to deal with existential issues that affect various parts of the world.

Read more: SA takes G20 helm amid global political instability and shifting world order

“I’m least concerned about how our own G20 will be seen and I don’t believe that what will have been decided here will be diluted,” he said. “I see very little room for any major break with what the G20 will have concluded.”

South Africa will work with Brazil and the US in the G20 Troika, in which the current, previous and next G20 presidencies cooperate with one another in preparation for the G20 Summit.

Ramaphosa said he believes there will be “sufficient shock-absorbers” in place to enable the G20 to continue functioning in a way “that will advance the interests of the world”.

“Through the G20 we are not advancing the interests of one single country – we are advancing the interests of the people of the world, collectively represented in the G20,” he said.

G20 President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and Minister or International Relations Ronald Lamola, before addressing the media at the G20 presidency launch in Cape Town . (Photo: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of SA)

An ‘inclusive’ G20 presidency

The President said an “inclusive” G20 presidency was of importance for South Africa, and he encouraged the country’s “active, inquisitive and noisy” civil society to get involved.

“South Africa firmly believes that civil society serves as a bridge between the G20 leaders and the people who have the greatest interest in their deliberations.

“Dialogue with civil society and other non-government institutions will be conducted through various engagement groups. These engagement groups are organised according to sectors, such as business, labour, civil society, parliamentary bodies and the judiciary,” he said.

Accompanying Ramaphosa in Parliament was Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Minister Ronald Lamola. The two ministers, the President said, will lead the G20 process.

“On their shoulders will rest the responsibility of making our G20 successful,” he said.

The G20 sherpa is Dirco director-general Zane Dangor, while the sous-sherpas are advocate Nokukhanya Jele, senior adviser to the President on legal and international relations, and Xolisa Mabhongo, deputy director-general for global affairs in Dirco.

Read more: Ramaphosa appoints cracker economic growth team ahead of G20 presidency

The G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2025 will bring together the leaders of the G20 countries and the African Union and European Union.

“Over the course of the year there will be more than 130 meetings held across all provinces. Tens of thousands of people from nearly 30 countries and representatives from over 20 regional and international organisations will arrive in South Africa over the course of our G20 presidency,” Ramaphosa said.

The G20 would remain focused on its “core responsibilities, to address global economic and financial challenges”.

“It should not replace existing international institutions and platforms, such as the United Nations and associated bodies. At the same time, G20 initiatives should support, not diminish, the responsibilities that countries have to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and other commitments.

“To ensure that the G20 remains focused, South Africa will not create any new working groups or permanent structures. We will build on previous presidencies and provide momentum to existing structures and processes.” DM

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An ‘inclusive’ G20 presidency