enca - 23 hours ago

B20 South Africa: Led from Africa, shared with the world Estelle.Bronkhorst Tue, 10/14/2025 - 11:15 File: The South African flag waving in the wind. File: The South African flag waving in the wind. JOHANNESBURG - As South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency for the first time in history, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment - one that demands bold leadership, inclusive vision and a commitment to global transformation.This is not just a ceremonial milestone - it is a clarion call to reimagine the architecture of global cooperation through an African lens.
We are determined to make this presidency a turning point for the Global South.Elevating Africa’s voice on the global stageThe B20 South Africa priorities, reflecting those of the G20, are not abstract ideals - they are rooted in the lived realities of billions.
South Africa’s agenda reflects the urgent need to:Reform global financial institutions to address unsustainable debt burdens that stifle development.Establish dedicated loss-and-damage funds to support climate-vulnerable nations.Ensure universal digital access as a foundation for innovation and inclusion.Align G20 priorities with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to foster continental cohesion.From the halls of the IMF and World Bank to the negotiation tables in New Delhi and beyond, our message is unwavering: the world’s systems must evolve to reflect the voices, needs and aspirations of the Global South.Redefining Business Leadership: The B20 BlueprintIn South Africa, we have seen the power of business as a force for good. Our eight task forces have produced 30 actionable recommendations that reimagine the role of the private sector in society.
These include:Blended finance models to unlock infrastructure investment and support SMEs.Climate-smart agriculture to bolster food security and rural livelihoods.Renewable energy industrialisation through inclusive public-private partnerships.Digital skills development to empower Africa’s youth and close the opportunity gap.This is not about charity, it is about competitiveness.Including diverse voicesThe B20 South Africa presidency has already fostered unprecedented collaboration across G20 engagement groups:We supported the Youth 20 (Y20) Summit, recognising young people as co-architects of the future.We embedded Women 20 (W20) leaders into our task forces and co-hosted their Summit to mainstream gender equity.We partnered with Start-Up 20 (SU20) to elevate SME priorities and backed the Media 20 (M20) Summit to champion information integrity.These partnerships are not symbolic, they are structural. They lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and responsive global governance model.Accountability that deliversOne of the enduring critiques of global summits is the gap between lofty commitments and real-world implementation.
At B20 South Africa, we are determined to close that gap through robust monitoring and evaluation systems that:Link high-level pledges to measurable key performance indicators.Use digital tools to track progress at the community level.Publish independent progress reports co-authored by academia, business and civil society.This tripartite model of accountability is central to our mission: Inclusive Growth and Prosperity through Global Co-operation.Above all, we want our legacy to be one of leadership - African leadership - that reshaped the multilateral order not from the margins, but from the centre.Beyond the SummitThe real test of our presidency will come after the final communiqué is signed and the summit lights dim. That is when the hard work begins.
We call on companies and nonprofits to:Embed outcome-based metrics into every programme.Collaborate across sectors to pilot impact-linked finance instruments.Engage in ongoing dialogue with government and communities to co-create solutions.This is how we bind words to action. This is how we build a future where no community is left behind.As we count down to the B20 South Africa Summit in November, let us seize this historic opportunity to lead from Africa and share with the world.By focusing on impact and forging authentic partnerships, we can inspire change that echoes far beyond the summit halls - into classrooms, clinics, farms and factories across the globe.The world is watching. Let us show them what African leadership looks like.Cas Coovadia is the B20 South Africa Sherpa

Latest News

Hashtags:   

South

 | 

Africa

 | 

Africa

 | 

shared

 | 

world

 | 

Sources