South Africa’s Group of 20 (G20) Presidency convened its third Sherpa meeting this week, focusing on critical global challenges, including sustainable development and geopolitical tensions.
Speaking to the media, South Africa’s G20 Sous Sherpa, Xolisa Mabhongo, stressed the urgency of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the G20 represents 85% of global GDP and has a crucial role in advancing the 2030 agenda.
‘Significant role’
Mabhongo serves as the Deputy Director-General of Global Governance and Continental Agenda at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
“We are now five years away from the date set for achieving the SDGs and this is worrisome,” the diplomat stated.
He said the 20 largest economies in the world, which come from various regions, have a significant role in fostering the development agenda.
“The G20 has a responsibility to push hard during these remaining years.”
He told journalists that Wednesday’s Sherpa meeting of the G20 at the Sun City Resort addressed complex geopolitical issues, with participants discussing conflicts ranging from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Gaza and Ukraine.
However, the approach focused on principles of achieving “just peace” rather than diving into specific conflict details.
‘Key priorities’
Mabhongo said South Africa outlined four key priorities for its Presidency, which include disaster resilience, debt sustainability, critical minerals, and the Just Energy Transition (JET).
He, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of transforming Africa’s mineral extraction model. “We do not want raw materials to be just taken from Africa. We want African countries to have space for beneficiation and manufacturing.”
The meeting also noted the absence of the United States, with officials expressing openness to continued engagement and emphasising the continuity of the G20 agenda.
Mabhongo believed that the gathering signalled South Africa’s commitment to advancing Global South priorities and building on the legacies of previous presidencies from Indonesia, India, and Brazil.
Meanwhile, he explained the continuity of priorities, such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty from Brazil.
“Our task force on food security that we are creating is focusing on the regional level and at the global level.”
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